Summary

Occupational Therapists exercises independent judgment, utilizing professional practices and ethics as guidelines following the overall objectives to be achieved and priorities to be met which have been established by the Supervisor Occupational Therapist at the Department of Veterans Affairs, North Texas Veterans Health Care System. The therapist is under the direct supervision of the Occupational Therapy Supervisor.

Qualifications

The Occupational Therapist in this position is given general and complex assignments in the Community Living Center and other clinics where services are deemed necessary. In this position the OT has skills and knowledge in techniques for applying care targeting geriatric inpatient population with skill sets in fall prevention and dementia. The Occupational Therapists works independently in this position. Note: HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Candidates must be a citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency
• Individuals appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English
• See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part
• 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
• 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 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
• Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements, if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license
• 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
• English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. §
• 7403(f)
• 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, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
• Occupational Therapist GS-11 Education, Experience, or Licensure(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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: 1
• Experience in general and complex evaluations with skills/knowledge to establish treatment plans for multiple diagnosis for Geriatric population
• 2
• Independently develops and implements comprehensive and advance therapeutic programs, techniques and ADL training for Geriatric population
• 3
• Ability in ordering adequate supplies and maintaining inventory/equipment for assigned clinic
• 4
• Experience in wheelchair evaluations and fitting and splinting for Geriatric 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-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: The position will require Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Pulling hand over hand (2 hours), Pushing (2 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Walking (6 hours), Standing (6 hours), Kneeling (1 hour).

Duties

• Major Duties as Assigned, but not limited to: Clinical: 1
• Evaluates, develops, and implements appropriate occupational therapy treatment to address both activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, range of motion, muscle strength, coordination, pain, motor skills, functional ability, home safety, environmental accessibility, work hardening, cognitive function, sensory/ perceptual function and social needs
• Addresses the Veteran's rehabilitation potential, behavior and any psychosocial aspects of care
• Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them are developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation
• 2
• Administers and interprets recognized tests and measurements to determine baseline level of functioning and treatment applications which will enable patients to achieve valued functional outcomes
• Documents results as established in Scopes of Assessments and makes clinical treatment recommendations
• 3
• Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out treatment program and re-evaluates and adjusts OT treatment as appropriate
• 4
• Responsible for the management and organization of the treatment area and works independently in planning and carrying out a treatment program to meet complex treatment objectives
• Problems not covered by guides are solved independently by utilizing specialized skills, knowledge, and experience
• Independently solves complex problems related to OT
• Adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of the Veterans
• 5
• Conducts and documents PM&RS screening assessments in compliance with Joint Commission Standards and CARF making recommendations for treatment to meet a wide variety of complex rehabilitation needs and responds to requests/referrals for treatment
• Serves as the PM&RS member of the respective interdisciplinary treatment teams
• 6
• Treats Veterans from age specific groups: Adult 18-64 and Geriatric 65-and over, both inpatients and outpatients from all areas of this CTVHCS including Veterans with specialty diagnoses from various medical, psychiatric, geri-psychiatric, intermediate care, and extended treatment units
• 7
• Elicits Veteran participation in implementing occupational therapy objectives in restoring or maintaining patient performance
• Independently employs different motivational techniques to ensure Veteran participation in treatment program where objectives are difficult to achieve because of severity or complexity of disabilities
• Education: 1
• Maintains professional competency through documented and appropriate continuing education for professional and personal growth
• Maintains professional state licensure and national certification
• Maintains membership in professional organizations and reads current literature
• 2
• Attends in-service training programs, lectures, and staffing meetings to remain familiar with current occupational therapy practices
• Attends mandatory training (CPR, Fire & Safety, Infection Control, etc.) as required by the facility and meets annual educational requirements
• 3
• Plans and provides in-service educational programs to Occupational Therapy staff
• Provides educational sessions to other professionals and/or trainees to promote understanding of, and appropriate use of, Occupational Therapy services
• 4
• Assists in planning and organizing and functioning as a Clinical Instructor for occupational therapy student education program for Fieldwork I and Fieldwork II level students
• 5
• Serves as a resource/consultant to other therapists and staff in specialty area to solve complex problems.6
• Serves as role model possessing a demonstrating clinical expertise that is recognized and sought by peers
• Administration: 1
• Adheres to established standards, policies, and procedures set forth by section, service, and medical center
• 2
• Participates in quality assurance activities and review including chart reviews, peer reviews, Veteran care monitoring, and Veteran satisfaction surveys
• Compiles necessary statistics that assists supervisor in determining program effectiveness, efficiency, patient satisfaction for monthly, quarterly, and annual QI measures for CARF, JC, etc
• 3
• Maintains personal productivity and assists the section in maintaining/increasing effectiveness and efficiency in meeting its objectives
• 4
• Provides professional and clinical direction to junior Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Volunteers, and Work-Study Aids 5
• Attends scheduled departmental meetings, multidisciplinary staff meetings, other meetings affecting Veteran care, and committee meetings as assigned
• Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm PRN weekend and Holiday Coverage
• 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