The Occupational Therapist (SCI) has the responsibility of planning and directing patient-specific occupational therapy programs for patients of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS). The Occupational Therapist will practice Occupational Therapy primarily at the Audie L. Murphy campus, but may participate in temporary assignments throughout STVHCS as directed by the therapy supervisor. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education and/or Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist; NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1, 2005 decision that the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1, 2005 decision that ACOTE would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements when possessing a full, current, and unrestricted state license, to practice occupational therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. State Licensure. Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted state license, to practice occupational therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist, GS-9: Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11: Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. Occupational Therapist, GS-12: Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence based practice. Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits. Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. Ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to independently solve complex problems related to adapting and modifying assessments, treatment plans, activities and procedures to meet the needs of patients. Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment). Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: Evidence of experience working in Spinal cord injury and disorders/clinical practice within last 5 years for at least 6+ months; An additional advanced degree in a related field; or Completion of a Neuro fellowship program or advanced certification related to Spinal Cord Injury and disorders e.g. Certified hand therapist, ATP, certification in splinting, orthosis, and braces; Experience working in Inpatient unit - specific to neurological or spinal cord injury and disorders and outpatient neuro or spinal cord injury and disorders clinic; Experience with SCI/D Equipment including shower chairs, bedside commodes, wheelchairs, and other adaptive equipment. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Straight pulling (1/2 hours), Pushing (1/2 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (1/2 hours), Standing (1/2 hours), Crawling (1/2 hours), Kneeling (1/2 hours), Repeated bending (1 hour), Climbing, legs only (1/2 hours), Climbing, use of legs and arms, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Specific visual requirement (specify) Corrective lenses okay, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), mental & emotional stability. ["Duties may include but are not limited to: Conducting comprehensive assessments of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools, with a particular focus on the Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Careline (SCI/D) at the Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital. Within this scope, you select and administer direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures, addressing varying levels of complexity, while aiming to enhance or restore the functionality of patients facing conditions like spinal cord injuries, amputations, and neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions. Collaboration with healthcare providers is essential, involving specialized evaluations, treatment modalities, and patient education, especially regarding spinal cord injuries. Additionally, you play a vital role in evaluating patients' homes for safety and accessibility, providing recommendations for durable medical equipment (DME), and ensuring patients are trained in its safe use. Coordinating equipment needs with physicians and the prosthetics department is another critical aspect of your role. Ancillary duties include participating in offsite outings, contributing to discharge planning, independently solving complex problems, maintaining certifications, assisting in the development of care standards, and maintaining equipment and supplies. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
