Occupational Therapist

Summary

This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Southeast Network (VISN 7) - VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta - Georgia located in the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department/Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PMRS). OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardize 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
• English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education and/or Experience: 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
• 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) Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of 12/13/2019 qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration [that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation]
• Employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: They may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• If an OT who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• OTs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard - must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• OTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Grade Determinations: 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 which includes but not limited to: practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools
• The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety - wellness - performance in activities of daily living (ADL)
• and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation
• Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions
• OTs demonstrate an understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis - behavioral intervention - frame of references - and therapeutic procedures
• They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional - independent occupational therapy services
• GS-12 Occupational Therapist Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: 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: Prefer at least 1 year of experience
• however - new grad with license will be considered
• Preference for outpatient/orthopedic Mental Health - Lymphedema - Pelvic Rehabilitation - or Drivers Rehab experience
• Prefer Modality Certified or eligible to apply to meet Georgia CEU certification criteria requirements
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Major duties may include - but are not limited to: Clinical 1
• 1
• Receives and interprets consults for OT procedures
• reviews medical records to assess appropriateness of the referral to OT and possible contraindications for treatment
• 2
• OTs - select and provide - direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety - wellness - and performance in ADL (activities of daily living) and IADL (instrumental activities of daily living) - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation
• 3
• OTs demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis - behavioral intervention - frame of references - and therapeutic procedures
• 4
• Will complete/review all documentation including - but not limited to consultations - evaluations - treatment notes - standardized and non-standardized assessments to track/establish outcome measures - progress notes - discharge notes - patient education - and encounters completed on all patients prescribed in accordance with Station policies (VA - Rehab - OT) for content and established Policy for timeliness
• 5
• OT will be able to assess quality control and evaluation of the professional services provided are managed
• The incumbent will devise methods of obtaining and evaluating data to determine the effectiveness of treatment (outcome measures) and identify consistent qualities of successful and failed treatment(s)
• 6
• OTs may be assigned to any program areas within PMRS/VAHCS - including inpatient and outpatient programs - either and/or any campus and provide professional - independent occupational therapy services
• 7
• OTs at this level are expected to provide professional clinical services - conducting research - carrying out education and training activities - clinical consultation - supervision - and administration
• In performing these duties - the clinician demonstrates professional knowledge and skill in applying a wide range of theories - principles - and methodologies for the practice of occupational therapy
• 8
• OTs at this level are expected to serve as Clinical Instructors (CI) for OT or OTA students - completing all requirements entailed including supervision - documentation and education
• 9
• Clinician will document all service contacts on a timely basis including face-to-face interviews - collateral and networking contacts - and general correspondence
• Maintains the case records in accordance with agency and regulatory standards and requirements
• 10
• Clinician will complete documentation that indicates appropriate level of supervisory oversight and coordination of care is being completed for OTA(s) - and/or OT/OTA Students - based on most current State Practice Acts of Georgia and school requirements
• *Other Duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 - Rotating Weekend/Holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 59874F Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) 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.