Occupational Therapist

Summary

This position is shared between the Spinal Cord Injury Unit and Outpatient General Rehabilitation to ensure the timely provision of effective and efficient Occupational Therapy services for patients referred. Located in the RECL at the MEDVAMC, and is administratively and clinically responsible to the Spinal Cord Injury Supervisory Therapist, the Supervisory Rehabilitation Therapist, the Rehabilitation Director, and the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line Executive.

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Duties

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• Following referral/consult from a physician or other approved provider, reviews the medical record and independently evaluates each patient to determine functional deficits and the best method to accomplish rehabilitation goals.
• Evaluations include medical history, results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: activities of daily living, IADL's, range of motion, muscle strength, sensory deficits, coordination, pain, cognitive, visual perceptual, etc. Utilizes standard and non-standard methods in the evaluation and interpretation of a wide variety of physical and cognitive functional levels. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or medical conditions. Utilizes standard outcomes measurement in assessing patients and other in/outpatients as indicated.
• Patient Treatment: Provides group and individual treatments that are occupation based; promotes the Veterans' strengths and abilities while adapting for limitations; and develops skills that are within the individual's potential. After initial evaluation of patient, formulates progressive treatment plans and goals, and is responsible for implementation, modification, and documentation of the treatments. Independently formulates, selects, and provides plans of care for direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity based on assessments, the patient goals, and team goals to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation.
• Practice independently and is responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools.
• 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.
• Applies recognized Occupational therapy treatment procedures correctly, safely, and modifies these techniques in such a manner as not to interfere with any traction devices, surgical drains, catheters, immobilizing appliances, respiratory aides, or monitoring devices.
• On an on-going basis, in response to the patient's reaction to treatment, independently adapts and modifies treatment programs, to better meet short-term and long-term goals.
• Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment, significantly altered physical or mental status of patients, and reports to appropriate medical authority.
• Documents initial findings, treatment goals, equipment recommendations, treatment provided, patient progress, patient/family education, and discharge summaryin patient's medical record in accordance with MEDVAMC, RCL policies and CARF and TJC standards.
• Develops appropriate home program for patient, as needed, prior to discharge. As indicated, instructs family or care provider in ways to assist patient to carry out the program.
• Demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application using activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of reference, and therapeutic procedures.
• Follows appropriate guidelines and safety measures in completing home visits, community outings, and associated travel.
• May be given assignments in any area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and the complexity of the facility and/or treatment area.
• Refer patients for community resources as needed.
• Collaborates and communicates orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. Participates in team conferences, rounds, discharge planning meetings, specialty clinics, and other assigned medical meetings.
• Consults with physicians, other therapists and medical personnel, the patient, and as indicated the family and/or caregiver, to maximize benefit of the patient's therapy program.
• Practices appropriate infection control procedures, personal safety, patient safety, and treatment precautions pertinent to patient's condition or disease process, the specific treatment technique or procedure being utilized, and location of patient encounter.
• Respects and protects patient privacy.
• Manages time to allow for unforeseen incidents or interruptions in planned program. Flexible in treatment program; easily adapts to share in over-all section treatment program, as needed. Assists in coverage for absent staff members, to ensure continuity of quality patient care.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday: 8:00AM - 4:30PM; weekend/holiday coverage as needed, subject to change based on needs of the facility.

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 580-02137-F, 580-02136-F, 580-02135-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 :

Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)).

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.

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.

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-to- exceed 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.

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 :

Occupational Therapist, GS-9

Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

Occupational Therapist, 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.

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:

• 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.

Preferred Experience: Current or previous experience with inpatient rehabilitation with knowledge of orthopedics, neurological disorders and major multiple trauma.

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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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