Summary

The Occupational Therapist is assigned to the Primary Care for the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System providing Occupational therapy services within the PM&RS service. This is a multi-disciplinary position and can be filled by either a Occupational Therapist or a Physical Therapist

Qualifications

Applicants 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. Preferred Experience: 5 years' experience - home health experience

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 Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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
• or Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field
• or Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy
• 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 Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist
• OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program - who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements - but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure - may be appointed - pending certification and/or licensure - as a graduate OT on a full-time temporary appointment at the GS-9 level - Not to Exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c) Failure to obtain required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment
• Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist - GS-9 - Education - Experience - or Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Occupational Therapist - GS-11 - Education - Experience - or 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 Doctorate in occupational therapy
• 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
• 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 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
• Knowledge is inclusive of physical - occupational - cognitive - and psychosocial functional deficits
• (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders
• (c) 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
• (d) Skill in procuring - fabricating - adjusting - adapting - and modifying orthoses - splints - and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment)
• (e) 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/
• 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-9 to GS-12
• Physical Requirements: There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients - providing patient transfers - some lifting of 50 pounds and supporting patients
• Fine motor skills: Precise hand movements for manipulating small objects and assisting clients with fine motor tasks
• Mobility: Ability to stand - walk - bend - kneel - and reach frequently throughout the workday
• Strength and endurance: To lift and support patients - especially during transfers or exercises
• Visual acuity: Clear vision to assess client needs and observe movements
• Auditory perception: Ability to understand verbal instructions and client communication
• Cognitive abilities: Quick decision-making - problem-solving - and adaptability to different situations
• Incumbent must be able to lift 50 pounds to chest height and maintain good body mechanics.

Duties

• The Occupational Therapist will: Assess the living skills - physical abilities - and needs for each patient referred for in-home assessment
• Develop a treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning within the home - consulting with other disciplines as indicated - and developing the plan of care in collaboration with the patient and caregiver
• Implement the treatment plan by providing direct patient care
• procuring necessary equipment/adaptive devices
• instructing and training the client and caregiver concerning exercises - activities of daily living - rehabilitation techniques - and equipment/adaptive devices
• and recommending community referrals
• Reassess patients' levels of functioning and home environment - revising the treatment plan as indicated and terminating treatment objectives when met and/or the patient has achieved maximum benefit from therapy
• Evaluate the need for additional services and use professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals to provide such services
• Evaluate the home for structural or positional changes in order to promote the patient's safety and independence
• Changes may include installation of ramps - bars - widening of door frames - remodeling bathrooms and kitchens for wheelchair accessibility - changes in furniture heights - adjustment of traffic patterns - and modification of wheelchairs
• Serve as content expert in ordering complex and specialized medical equipment
• Directly treat patients for limited duration or frequency as time allows utilizing techniques as deemed appropriate to the patient and setting
• Document initial assessments - treatment plans/goals - and response to treatment as determined in subsequent patient home visits - telephone calls - and case management work - according to licensure and Joint Commission standards
• Submit supporting documentation for reports as requested e.g. - Joint Commission - Management Briefings - etc
• Inspect and test in-home equipment for good operating condition
• Justify the need for new equipment and requests repairs through the appropriate channels
• Follow infection control and safety procedures
• Initiate the appropriate forms for the patient to apply for Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) funding with written justification
• Complete VA Clinical Reminders applicable to the therapist's assessment
• Participate in HBPC interdisciplinary team conferences
• Serve as consultant to other health professionals in the evaluation of patients with multiple and complex problems in the home - for which highly specialized knowledge and skills are required
• Develop and coordinate educational materials for the patient and/or caregiver of the veteran as indicated by the OT assessment and Joint Commission Home Care standards
• Abide by VA and HIPAA patient confidentiality regulations in documentation - consultation - and release of information
• Ensure that all Protected Health Information is secure at all times and kept in a lockable box during transport to patient homes
• Participate in peer competency and documentation evaluations of other HBPC OT's - including collaboratively determining appropriate educational needs to update competence
• Attend continuing education programs and read professional literature for the purpose of maintaining licensure or improving knowledge - skills - and attitudes in work performance and competence
• Apply new material learned towards the revision of procedures to reflect current methodology
• Attend or complete all VA-required educational programs within specified timeframes
• Develop and maintain population specific competencies related to home bound patients
• Assist in orienting - training - or supervising - as indicated - professional OT students - other disciplines - and students of the HBPC team - and volunteers
• Provide HBPC with in-services as indicated regarding new developments in OT or other topics as appropriate
• Must have the ability to communicate with internal and external customers both orally and in writing
• Must have the ability to obtain and modify orthoses and adaptive equipment as needed for patients
• Work Schedule: 08:00 - 4:30 PM Monday to Friday Compressed/Flexible: Compressed tour is negotiable Telework: Telework Situational (ad hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 58351-A - 58352-A - 58353-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized