Summary

This position is located in Kerrville - TX VA Medical Center of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS). The Occupational Therapist (SCI) has the responsibility of planning and directing patient-specific occupational therapy programs for patients. Therapist will practice occupational therapy primarily at the assigned campus - but may participate in temporary assignments throughout STVHCS as directed by the therapy supervisor.

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.

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
• Foreign Graduates
• Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the any requirements of subparagraph above and have a current - full - active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph below
• 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 https://www.aota.org/ 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 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)
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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: In addition to the Basic Requirements above - the following must be met for each grade level
• 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
• Examples of the GS-11 experience includes: OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools
• The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety - wellness - performance in activities of daily living (ADL)
• and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation
• Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions
• OTs demonstrate an understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis - behavioral intervention - frame of references - and therapeutic procedures
• They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional - independent occupational therapy services
• And 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
• Preferred Experience: Desire to work in semi-rural outpatient setting - with opportunities to routinely provide care in LTC/SNF setting
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate with an experienced rehab team
• 3+ years of experience in outpatient occupational therapy - with ability to provide high-quality care across a wide range of diagnoses and needs analyze data to identify trends/opportunities
• Strong work ethic with ability to meet productivity requirements and participate in solution planning as systemic needs evolve
• Ability to develop plans of care with emphasis on home program and patient empowerment to address deficits
• Ability to adapt to various challenges and adjust processes while maintaining communication with leadership and colleague
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14
• 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 GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) -Straight pulling (2 hours)
• Pulling hand over hand (2 hours)
• Pushing (2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking and Standing (6 hours)
• Crawling (1 hour)
• Kneeling (2 hours)
• Repeated bending ( 6 hours)
• Climbing - legs only (2 hours)
• Both legs required
• Operation of crane - truck - tractor - or motor vehicle
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Corrective lenses okay
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• Simple Grasping
• and Fine Manipulation-keyboarding
• Sitting (6hours)
• Twisting (6 hours)
• Mental and emotional stability
• Outside
• outside and inside
• Excessive heat
• Excessive cold
• Excessive humidity
• Excessive dampness or chilling
• Excessive noise - intermittent
• constant noise
• Working alone
• Protracted or irregular hours of work.

Duties

• May include but are not limited to: Clinical: Staff OTs at this level are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention
• 1
• Assigns - manages and evaluates work of subordinate staff
• 2
• Upon referral from a physician - evaluates patients in complex cases to determine functional status - identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment
• 3
• Independently plans and develops comprehensive programs to meet patients' needs in the specialty program
• 4
• Reviews occupational therapy documentation of initial findings - treatment goals estimated length of treatment - equipment recommendations - interim progress and discharge summary in patients' medical records
• 5
• Communicates effectively with occupational therapy and medical center staff
• 6
• Works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care
• 7
• Participates in conferences and assigned medical meetings
• 8
• Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment in the Occupational Therapy Clinic Administration: 1
• Maintains attendance records and submits monthly reports and statistics
• 2
• Maintains procedures consistent with STVHCS policies
• Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations
• 3
• Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals
• 4
• Maintains adequate level of supplies
• 5
• Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders - as necessary
• 6
• Other duties as assigned
• Education: Provides in-services training for occupational therapy staff and other professionals - as necessary
• Orients Visitors and volunteers to the role of occupational therapy 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