Occupational Therapist (Caregiver Support Program)

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.

01Basic 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: 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; 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. NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations.

02Certification

Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. License: 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).

03Grade Determinations

GS-12 Occupational Therapist: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience 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.

04Preferred Experience

2 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12.

05Physical Requirements

Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; use of fingers, both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability.

The Occupational Therapist works with a great deal of autonomy while serving in this role to include scheduling of visits, providing evaluations, completing reports, performing needs assessments, providing case management support and performing wellness visits and caregiver education. The Caregiver Support Program is staffed by an interdisciplinary team, including Occupational Therapist, with coordinated services for assessment and follow-up of those Veterans and Caregivers accepted into their program.

The Occupational Therapist is a core member of the team who evaluates Veteran's performance in a holistic fashion in order to assist the team in making appropriate recommendations for caregiver support. The OT coordinates recommendations with the CSP team as well as with the Veteran's care team. Collaboration commonly occurs with the patient aligned care teams, mental health team and geriatric primary care. Duties include, but not limited to: Screening/triaging of OT cases as assigned.

Accepting and responding to assigned cases in compliance with PM&RS and assigned program policies. Using knowledge of OT programming, the CSP, and hospital programs to identify Veterans appropriate for this level of care and advocates for these services.

As part of the application/renewal process for participation in CSP Program of Comprehensive Assistance to Family Caregivers (PCAFC) the OT will serve in the role as Clinical Assessor, assessing a Veteran's functional needs, including the need for personal care services, 2 particularly Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), supervision, protection or instruction, working closely with the Caregiver Support Program Coordinator(s) and/or designee(s) using Program Office approved standardized assessments--which will assist the Centralized Eligibility and Appeal Teams (CEAT) in determining eligibility.

Reviewing pertinent patient data using the medical record and, as needed, remote data (e.g. VistaWeb, JLV and VHIE). Developing, implementing and communicating the occupational therapy intervention plan based on the evaluation, patient goals, current best evidence and clinical reasoning. Identifying general contraindications to treatment. Uses knowledge of programs/service offerings and best practice to apply to all veterans seen on OT caseload. Scheduling and coordinating treatment with other VA services.

Treatment may take place within the home setting or Durham VA Medical Center and may be in-person or virtual, while maintaining privacy and confidentiality as appropriate. Accurately documenting OT services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by the PM&RS, the assigned home-based program and the Durham VA Healthcare System.

Entering consults within the PM&RS Service (i.e., to Physical, Occupational or Recreational Therapy) or to the Prosthetics service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with competencies, PM&RS and Durham VAHCS policies. Identifying when patients have attained maximum benefit from occupational therapy services and terminating services as appropriate.

Participating in the clinical education of OT and OTA students including supervision of level I and/or II fieldwork and completion of fieldwork evaluation forms. Supervising individuals who are volunteering in an official capacity through the Volunteer Service. Using the computer system for storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, transmitting and receiving e-mail, activating printers, requesting leave, and accessing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS).

Covering administrative positions/responsibilities within the service when assigned. Performs all other duties assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized