Occupational Therapist

Summary

Therapist will practice Occupational Therapy in the assigned setting at the assigned location throughout South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) Service Programs as directed by the assigned Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) supervisor. A staff occupational therapist is responsible for the independent provision of comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools.

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
• 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
• 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-toexceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(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
• A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements
• Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years - or converted to a new temporary appointment
• Failure to Obtain Licensure/Certification
• In all cases - graduate OTs must actively pursue obtaining required credentials (i.e. - NBCOT certification and/or state licensure) from the date of their appointment
• The human resource office will notify the uncertified/unlicensed OT in writing of the requirement to obtain certification/licensure - the date by which the certification/license must be acquired - and the consequences for not becoming certified/licensed by the deadline date
• The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date
• Failure to obtain required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
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• 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)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-09: Education - Experience - or Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-11: Education - Experience - or Licensure
• Completion of one year of experience equivalent 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
• 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 practice
• Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans - including goals and methods of treatment
• Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others
• Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated
• Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients - family members - caregivers - interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care
• Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation - reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice
• 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: 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• 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
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting - under 15 pounds
• Light carrying - under 15 pounds
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required;

Duties

• Major Duties: Clinical: Candidates must be licensed for assignment at this grade level and are considered to be at the full performance level
• They are assigned to all program areas which are covered by the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service and provide professional - independent occupational therapy services in the assigned area(s)
• OTs at this level may be given general assignments in any occupational therapy program area where advanced - specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area or may serve as the sole OT at a less complex facility
• Individuals may perform ancillary assignments - including program management duties on an occasional basis - where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of duty time)
• Upon referral from a physician (or self-referral in a direct access system) - evaluates patients in complex cases to determine functional status - identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment
• Demonstrates the ability to serve as a consultant for health care providers regarding the deliver of occupational therapy services to patients who have experienced musculoskeletal injuries - neurological injuries - and trauma
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in a range of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on occupational therapy theory and evidence-based practice
• Demonstrates an effective working knowledge of occupational therapy interventions and treatment modalities used in the clinical setting for veterans who have suffered musculoskeletal injuries - neurological injuries - and multiple traumas
• Independently plans and develops comprehensive occupational therapy programs to meet patients' needs
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in evaluating and treating patients who has experienced limb loss - traumatic brain injury - spinal cord injury - neurological injury - and neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction
• Demonstrates skills in performing and interpreting specialized evaluation procedures and tests
• Incumbent is responsible for comprehensive evaluations of patients for durable medical equipment and orthotics including procuring - fabricating - adjusting - adapting - and modifying adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of DME - bracing - and other adaptive equipment)
• Once the evaluation is complete - the incumbent is responsible for coordinating equipment need with the physician and prosthetics department
• Additionally - the incumbent will train the patient on the required DME for safety and functional mobility
• Utilizes critical analysis - clinical reasoning - and creativity to independently solve complete problems related to adapting and modifying assessments - treatment plans - activities - and procedures to meet the needs of the patients
• Reviews occupational therapy documentation of initial findings - treatment goals estimated length of treatment - equipment recommendations - interim progress - and discharge summary in patients' medical records
• Communicates effectively with occupational therapy and medical center staff
• Works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care
• Participates in conferences and assigned medical meetings
• Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment in the Occupational Therapy Clinic
• Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Administration: Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff as assigned
• Maintains attendance records and submits monthly reports and statistics
• Maintains procedures consistent with STVHCS policies
• Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations
• Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals
• Maintains adequate level of supplies
• Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders - as necessary
• Other duties as assigned
• Education Supervises and trains occupational therapy students and volunteers
• If assigned - acts as clinical education coordinator for the HCBC Section
• Provides in-services training for therapy staff and other professionals - as necessary
• Orients Visitors and Volunteers to the role of occupational therapy
• Maintains professional state license and National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy competency through continuing education with completion in each biennium of 3.0 Continuing Competency Units (CCU's)
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Ad-Hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 55518-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.