This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. VHA Health Profession Trainees (HPT's) pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. US Citizens who are pending state license and NBCOT Certification requirements may be appointed not to exceed 2 years as a Graduate Occupational Therapist. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Education [and/or Experience.] The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (a) 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. or (b) 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. or (c) 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). ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Degree programs may be verified by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. Foreign Graduates. Graduates] of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph [3b(2)] if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of this appendix. 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: GRADE [DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. a. Occupational Therapist, GS-9 (1) Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. b. Occupational Therapist, GS-11 (1) Education, Experience, or Licensure. To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must be fully licensed to independently practice occupational therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia and have a NBCOT Certification as an OT In addition to the basic requirements, one of the following is required. (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or (b) 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.] (2) Demonstrated [Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)]. In addition to the [experience or education above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: [(a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. c. Occupational Therapist, GS-12 (1) 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.] To be equivalent to the GS-11 level, experience must have been earned while having: a full license to independently practice occupational therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia and a NBCOT Certification as an OT. (2) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the [experience above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: [(a) Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence based practice. (b) Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits. (c) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. (d) 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. (e) Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment). (f) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training.] Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years' experience in field of expertise. Home care experience. Experience with Geriatric, chronically ill, high risk and/or Veteran population. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination Activities may require prolonged standing, extensive walking, bending, push/pulling and lifting. Hazards include risk of exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substance, electrical hazards and risk of physical injury associated with patient with the potential to lose control or irrational behavior. Must be able to operate a vehicle and possess the ability to drive long distances and access homes that may be in poor condition and have poor environmental controls. ["The HBPC OT carries primary responsibility for providing in-home rehabilitation-therapy assessments, home assessments, treatment planning and administration, and management of rehabilitation in the home for patients in the HBPC and Medical Foster Home (MFH) Programs. The OT will provide evaluations and assessments for the presence of physical abnormalities, and functional disabilities that interfere in Activities of Daily Living and/or quality of life. The HBPC Occupational Therapist serves as the rehabilitation therapy expert for the HBPC/MFH interdisciplinary treatment team with responsibility for administration of treatment for outpatient populations with acute, chronic conditions with varied physical disorder caseload to include strokes, amputees, total joint replacements, neurological, respiratory care cardiac rehabilitation conditions, etc. In addition to being a core member of the HBPC interdisciplinary team, is responsible for: Clinical Aspects- Therapist must evaluate Veteran needs and skills and develop therapeutic treatment programs while implementing the use of Occupational Therapy interventions including but not limited to: Activity of Daily Living (ADL) evaluations, modify equipment to facilitate safe ADLs, evaluate for upper extremity orthotics, evaluating the patient's home, on admission and annually and as clinically indicated, to identify the need for structural modification and adaptive equipment to improve the safety and accessibility of the home environment, evaluate and educate on home safety and the safe use and maintenance of adaptive equipment, teach body mechanics to the patient and caregiver to minimize risk of injury and fall, encourage participation relating to improved functional levels, functional transfer training, measure results and modify programs regularly, identify wheelchair seating needs, perform motorized wheelchair and scooter evaluations, initiate appropriate forms for the Veteran to apply for Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) funding with written justification. Assist with coordinating VA and community resource referrals, patient and family education with treatment team members. Reporting equipment problems and facilitating repair or replacement of DME via the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. Assists in patient discharge planning to ensure provision of appropriate services and equipment for patient safety needs. Advises interdisciplinary health care team of safety and rehabilitation recommendations, goals, and efficacy of therapy. Discusses pertinent findings and interprets clinical therapy information which will assist the team in developing comprehensive patient treatment plans. Administrative Aspects - The Occupational Therapist will carry an appropriate daily patient Caseload and/or number of group activities consistent with VA and American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) suggested guidelines. It is expected that clinician will have a minimum of 6 hours of direct patient care per workday. Complete the VA clinical reminders applicable to the therapists' assessment. Complete detailed documentation of assessments, re-assessments, care plans, etc. related to the Veterans therapy. Complete Functional Independent Mobility (FIM) tests and relay that info to the Veteran, caregiver and treatment team members. Develop and coordinate educational materials for the caregiver and/or veteran as indicated by the therapists' assessment and Joint accreditation home care standards. Act as a consultant to other HBPC staff and hospital disciplines as needed. Be an active participant in Veterans treatment teams, committee's and workgroups as assigned. Supervise OT volunteers as requested. Assist with orientation and evaluation of performance. Assist in training student affiliates arranged through VA education department. Presents seminars, workshops, and lectures to convey current home safety and rehabilitation therapy information on new and changing concepts. This includes the development and participation of in-service educational programs directed to members of interdisciplinary teams and various students, interns, residents, etc. Performs other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Service and clients to include providing support and coverage for vacancies and leave. Duties are continued in the Education Section of this announcement. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Ad/Hoc Telework may be authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance at VISN17EDRP2@va.gov. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]

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