Occupational Therapist

Summary

This Occupational Therapist (OT) position is located within the VA Supported Housing Program (VASH) in Community Engagement and Reintegration Service (CERS) at the Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care System. VASH teams provide comprehensive case management and peer support services to chronically homeless Veterans in multiple settings through a Veteran-centric model.

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Duties

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conducts independent and specialized evaluation of patients by using a variety of standardized and non-standardized tests to determine occupational therapy needs.
• Performs OT examinations and evaluations, interpret findings, establishes a diagnosis and prognosis within the scope of OT.
• Implements appropriate OT intervention plans for all patients referred via face-to-face, telerehabilitation, and/or telephone sessions.
• Provides age-specific care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, cultural, and chronological maturation needs of the patient.
• Develops client-centered rehabilitation objectives for individual patients, creates and implements treatment plans to restore independence, maximizes function, and improves engagement in meaningful occupations.
• Develops and implements individualized client centered occupational therapy treatment programs for patients.
• Manages patient caseload at a productive standard and addressing minor, routine problems which may arise.
• Recognizing contraindications, precautions, and parameters of treatment prescribed by referring providers and consulting with referring provider/care team if these are questionable.

This position may or may not be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. If offered, you must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Various tours of duty based on the needs of the service.

Compressed/Flexible: May be available based on the needs of the service.

Functional Statement #: 00000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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 :

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education/Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the 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.

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: GS-12

Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level that is directly related to the position being filled AND can demonstrate all the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• 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: Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard

The full performance level of this position is GS-12.

Preferred Experience: Preferred candidates have inpatient, acute, or subacute rehabilitation experience, with the ability to also cross-cover in other areas, such as outpatient or long-term care. Ideal applicants are adaptable, able to flex into other practice settings, and demonstrate strong interdisciplinary communication and time management skills while managing complex cases.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds or over); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pushing (.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (.5 hours); standing (.5 hours); crawling (.5 hours); kneeling (.5 hours); repeated bending (1 hour); climbing, legs only (.5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement (corrective lenses okay); both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colours; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 for 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.

Generally, the Occupational Therapist works standard clinic hours, however, may be required to work evenings, weekends or provide holiday coverage.

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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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.