Occ Therapist (Clinic Specialist Neurorehabilitation)

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. Education and/or Experience.

The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (a) 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 (b) 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 c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. AND 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. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist. 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).

02Grade Determinations

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met: Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist), GS-13 Education, Experience, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have completion of one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience at the GS-12 level includes independent practice and comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools.

OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation.

OTs demonstrate a full professional 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) AND directly related to the position being filled being filled AND one of the following: (a) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area.

This time must be within the past five years; (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; (c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or(d) An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated KSAs.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. (b) Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. (c) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. (e) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. (f) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization.

References: VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14. Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard, VHA, 12/13/2019.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.This Position being recruited for is above full performance level GS-13 Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling (0.5 hours); pushing (0.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; walking (5.3 hours); standing (5.3 hours); repeated bending (5.3 hours); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid ma be permitted).

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Employee possesses the ability to implement, revise/update evidence-based OT services and programming in neurorehabilitation. Employee possesses the advanced knowledge and skills for highly complex cases in neurorehabilitation, which may include but are not limited to Stroke (CVA), Hemiplegia, Traumatic Brain Injury, Polytrauma, Spinal Cord Injury, and other diseases of the central nervous system.

Employee demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in the area of neurorehabilitation and their proper application. Employee evaluates for the need of orthotic devices and custom-made orthotic devices to manage neurological conditions to meet the individual patient's needs. This Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist plans a treatment program with measurable goals, based on evaluative findings and within the boundaries of the individual prescription.

Employee modifies the program according to changing patient needs and terminates treatment program when all goals have been met. Independently administers standard treatments in the area of Neurorehabilitation Therapy. Employee provides accurate written and/or verbal documentation of patient status and progress, treatment program plans and patient response to treatment.

Employee independently schedules patient visits throughout the day allowing for adequate individual treatment time as well as necessary time for conferences and any administrative tasks. Employee consults with patients and their families through patient family education, training, advising them in the nature of their medical condition and by providing home programs.

Employee provides professional oversight and consultation for staff therapists and monitors and evaluates clinically appropriate treatment programs with great autonomy. Employee assumes responsibility for the independent operations of the clinic. Employee secures work area and equipment to provide a clean and safe therapeutic environment. This Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist may be designated as the Acting Supervisor or Manger of the Occupational Therapy Department when the need arises.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30AM to 4:00PM Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required