Occupational Therapist

Summary

Organization/Department: Program I - Wheelchair Prescription and Issuance Clinic and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) clinics in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service - VA North Texas Health Care System - (VANTHCS) - Dallas - Texas. The Organizational Location of the Position: VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service Program VII. The primary assignment location is Dallas VA Medical Center.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• 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: (a) 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 (b) 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 (c) 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
• (1) 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)
• (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
• (3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements
• (4) 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
• More information: Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist - GS-09 Education - Experience - or Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignments
• Individuals assigned at the GS-9 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems
• The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently
• OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists
• OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed OT
• Occupational Therapist - GS-11 Education - Experience - or Licensure
• (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• or (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field
• or (c) 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: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice
• (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans - including goals and methods of treatment
• (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others
• (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated
• (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients - family members - caregivers - interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing
• (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care
• (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation - reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice
• Assignment
• OTs at this grade level 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
• 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: (a) 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
• (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders
• (c) 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
• (d) Skill in procuring - fabricating - adjusting - adapting - and modifying orthoses - splints - and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training
• Assignment
• OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• Continued in Additional Information
• .

Duties

• In this position the Occupational Therapist/OT has skills and knowledge in techniques for applying care targeting prescription - evaluation - and fitting of custom wheelchair positioning - seating - and mobility systems - self-care and Activities of Daily Living (ADL ) needs for Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS ) Spinal Cord Injury disorders (SCL/D) and other neuromuscular - musculoskeletal and movement diagnoses in inpatient and outpatient settings.an outpatient population
• OTs practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• He/she provides direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with higher degrees of complexity
• The OT embraces evidenced based practice standards in diagnosis - examination - management - intervention - treatment - and outcome measurement
• Duties include but are not limited to: Patient Care: Performs patient evaluations
• Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition
• Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members
• Recognizes the appropriateness of treatment based on indications - precautions - and contraindications (e.g
• pharmacological) and uses professional judgement to initiate consultation to the appropriate provider
• Treatment Implementation: Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective - measurable goals and timeliness for completion
• These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient - family and/or stakeholder input
• Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: Therapeutic media - lifestyle coping skills and modifications - complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) - cognitive therapy and mobility training to maintain or achieve veteran's physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential
• .Independently develops and implements comprehensive and advanced therapeutic programs and technique Recognizes and responds to adverse reactions and emergency situations of the patient during the session and modifies the plan of care
• Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly Provides the equipment - materials - instruction - encouragement - or counseling necessary to promote functional mobility and activities performance Demonstrates knowledge - experience and skills in the prescription - fitting - and training in the use of specialty equipment
• This includes needs for orthotics - static and dynamic (custom and/or prefabricated) - assistive technology - wheelchair mobility - lifts and lift systems - devices for activities of daily living - modalities (electrical stimulation - ultrasound - etc.) - and other devices
• May need consultation with more experienced clinician or clinical specialist - if necessary Develops Home Programs for patients as indicated at discharge
• Instructs significant others in ways to assist patient to carry out home program in the use of equipment and adaptive/assistive devices issued
• Administrative Functions Understands and adheres to department - program - and facility procedures
• Receive and triage patient referrals/consults - patient self-referrals - adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of admission criteria for each program (inpatient/outpatient) for appropriate continuum of care placement
• Schedules Veterans for treatment - considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team Provides relief coverage - as needed - in any PM&R program in the event of shortage of staff to maintain the continuum of patient care Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in assigned clinical setting
• Education and Research: Identifies learning activities for self and others
• Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to specialty services and outpatient management and Occupational therapy via in-services and/or mentorship projects
• Conducts in services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs
• Maintains current concepts and trends in Occupational therapy and evidence-based medicine/rehabilitation practices through literature reviews - study of current research - clinical practice - and through attendance to continuing education courses - conferences - and in-services
• Work Schedule: 8:00AM-4:30PM Monday-Friday with occasional weekend and holiday coverage
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 5131F
• 5132-F - 5133F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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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.

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