Outpatient Occupational Therapist

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. 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.

01Basic Requirements

Citizenship. 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. 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. 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.

Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing,] must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist. (1) 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] not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). (2) Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained.

For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed. (3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. (4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation.

More information: Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist, GS-09 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.

02Preferred Experience

Experience in providing clinical guidance to OT practitioners in the Inpatient and Outpatient areas. Demonstrates knowledge, experience and skills in the prescription, fitting, and training in the use of specialty equipment. This includes needs for orthotics, static and dynamic (custom and/or prefabricated), assistive technology, wheelchair mobility, lifts and lift systems, devices for activities of daily living, modalities (electrical stimulation, ultrasound, etc.), and other devices.

Demonstrates clinical skills for both Inpatient and Outpatient population. Experience in Splinting, Intensive Care Units, and Upper extremity rehab. Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization. 2 to 4 years of experience. 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. Continued under additional information section.

Duties include but not limited to: Clinical Functions - Patient Care Performs Patient Evaluations: Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members. Recognizes the appropriateness of treatment based on indications, precautions and contraindications (e.g. pharmacological) and uses professional judgement to initiate consultation to the appropriate provider.

Evaluations reflect the complexity through Occupational profile and client history; Assessments of occupational performance; Clinical decision-making and development of a patient centered plan of care. This may include but is not limited to: establishment of rehabilitation diagnosis and prognosis, function, motor and sensory skills, psychosocial needs, activities of daily living, durable medical equipment, adaptive equipment, safety and prevention.

Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them are developed and implemented in the plan of care.

Evaluations include medical history, results and interpretation of relevant evidence based methods and appropriate functional tests and measurementssuch as (but not limited to): range of motion, muscle strength, sensory/perceptual deficits, cognitive deficits, functional ADL's, pain, endurance, neurological deficits, personal and psychosocial factors relating to the specific rehabilitation program they serve. Routine evaluations may be conducted independently or in consultation with clinical specialist.

Demonstrates the skilled ability to evaluate client factors (specific capabilities, characteristics or beliefs), performance skills (motor skills, processing skills and social interaction), performance patterns (habits, routines and roles), environment (physical & social), and context (cultural, personal, temporal and virtual), the therapist in this position demonstrates the ability to analyze Veterans occupational performance in order to target identified outcomes.

Assess the patient's medical conditions, functional capabilities, limitations, restrictions and rehabilitation potential. Establishes a care plan and administers a treatment program with specific goals according to the Veteran's capacity and tolerance. Exhibits general knowledge in the selection of appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss or limitations of function for individuals they treat. Responds to referrals by administering initial, interim, and final evaluations.

Treatment Implementation: Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals and timeliness for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input.

Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: Therapeutic media, lifestyle coping skills and modifications, complementary and alternative modalities (CAM), cognitive therapy and mobility training to maintain or achieve veteran's physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential. Independently develops and implements comprehensive and advanced therapeutic programs and techniques.

Recognizes and responds to adverse reactions and emergency situations of the patient during the session and modifies the plan of care. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly. Provides the equipment, materials, instruction, encouragement, or counseling necessary to promote functional mobility and activities performance. Administration Functions: Understand and adheres to department, program, and facility procedures.

Schedules Veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team. Provides relief coverage, as needed, in any PM&R program in the event of shortage of staff to maintain the continuum of patient care. Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in assigned clinical setting.

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to make clinical decisions and functions independently in the field. Education and Research: Identifies learning activities for self and others. Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to outpatient/inpatient management and Occupational therapy via in-services and/or may mentorship projects. Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.

Rotates to cover weekends and holidays. This position is primarily in the Outpatient department with rotations to Inpatient as required. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53249F, 53250F, 53147F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized