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.

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, AND 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 (c) 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 Certification: Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an OT. 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).

All licensed OTs employed in the VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all the qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure that are part of the basic requirements for this occupation.

02Grade Determinations

GS-9 Occupational Therapist: None beyond the above basic requirements GS-11 Occupational Therapist: In additional to the basic requirements, Education, Experience, or Licensure: Candidates must possess one year of experience to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled, OR Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field, OR Doctorate in Occupational Therapy AND, demonstrate all KSAs below: (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.

GS-12 Occupational Therapist: In addition to the basic requirements: Education, Experience, and Licensure: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level AND, demonstrate all the KSAs below: (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.

03Preferred Experience

at least 1 year of experience in the inpatient setting. 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-9 to GS-12.

The Occupational Therapist is a health care professional working as part o the rehabilitation care team in a variety of settings. This Occupational Therapist is assigned to the Physical Medical and Rehabilitation Service (PMR). The Occupational Therapist provides assessment and treatment interventions on an independent basis across the continuum of care and services provided by the service.

The incumbent will be expected to carry out general duty assignments but additionally serve as a subject matter expert in their assigned clinical area. The Occupational Therapist will provide occupational therapy program for patients with physical disabilities limiting independence in self-care and living skills. The incumbent will independently plan, develop and implement occupational therapy services including patient care, staff in-servicing and clinical education.

The Occupational Therapist evaluates and treats patients with multiple medical problems involving physical, psychosocial, and cognitive disabilities.

Duties include but not limited to: Provides direct patient care as assigned delivering Occupational Therapy services according to program requirements Screens patients for Occupational Therapy services for appropriateness, types of services and rehabilitation potential Independently develops and implements Occupational Therapy treatment using judgement to modify the treatment as a result of changing medical conditions Assists multidisciplinary medical team in coordination or patient's treatment and discharge planning Communicates with patients, families, treatment team members, and other Medical Center personnel and associates in the community to provide comprehensive services Utilizes aides, students, and volunteers to implement Occupational Therapy Services Works collaboratively with the leadership to design and implement programs within PMRs Service Maintains and submits in a timely manner statistics and other required reports Works independently.

Responsible for the program and clinics assigned and confers with supervisor at periodic intervals for the purpose of keeping them informed of problem cases, workload and progress reports Acts as clinical supervisor for professional or technical level students or participates in equivalent educational activities as assigned Educates other health professionals and their trainees on the role of Occupational Therapy services Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday ; 7:30AM - 4:00PM PST Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized