Occupational Therapist

Job Title

Occupational Therapy Caregiver Program Clinical Specialist

Duties

The incumbent serves as the Occupational Therapy Caregiver Program clinical specialist assigned to the Salisbury VA Healthcare System within the CSP, which provides a state-of-the-art continuum of services, education and resources to caregivers of Veterans with complex needs, as a member of the CSP interdisciplinary team. Advises and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on caregiver issues. Creates educational tools, develops programs and implements training focused on specific caregiver needs/issues. Provides education and in-service training to VAMC employees, Veterans, families and caregivers. Provides ongoing consultation and support to colleagues regarding caregiver support. Develops and facilitates caregiver support groups (face-to-face or VANTS telephone line) and educational programs. Distributes educational materials provided by VA, local, state and national caregiver organizations. Supervises occupational therapy and medical students as assigned. The incumbent conducts caregiver and family clinical interventions to facilitate the identification of caregiver stress, psychiatric illness, emotional distress and social needs as treatment issues. Professional judgment, including the knowledge of normal and abnormal behavior, is an inherent competency applied in daily interactions with caregivers and the Veterans they care for. The incumbent will collaborate with the patient aligned care team, mental health and geriatric primary care clinicians to provide Veteran and staff education on caregiver issues. Coordination will include hands-on support group work involvement, and training of patient aligned care team clinical social work staff in the development and facilitation of such groups. Provides outreach presentations to community social service agencies, military Guard and Reserve units, Veteran Service organizations and other groups on VA caregiver benefits, programs and services. Maintains basic knowledge of local VA medical center programs, community services and VA Central Office caregiver support initiatives. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, and sitting. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. The incumbent has the responsibility for knowledge of the eligibility criteria for the PCAFC, day-to-day operation of the program, and all reporting requirements within the assigned VISN. The incumbent performs a wide range of services, collaborating with interdisciplinary members to gather medical information to send to the VISN CET. The information will be used by the VISN CET to make eligibility determinations, tier level determinations, discharges, and appeals for the PCAFC. Uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; application of regulation, policy, guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday; 8am - 4:30pm

Telework

ADHOC; available at the supervisor discretion according to agency policy

Virtual

This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

Not Authorized