Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist - Geriatrics)

Job Title

This employee serves as a consultant to occupational therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty areas of SCI OT practice and Geriatrics and SCI beyond the general practice OT.

This therapist must demonstrate advanced/specialized skills and techniques for the SCI population in the specialty area of Geriatric interventions and the effects of aging on the SCI population.

Clinical Duties

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of regular aging effects and those of SCI patients and hold a Certification in Geriatrics.
• Evaluate patients with SCI diagnosis for functional decline considering the Veteran's type of injury, this includes pain assessment, communication ability, and disorders of hearing, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
• Evaluate equipment needs and modification of equipment. Focus may include fall prevention, review of mobility devices and their use, posture/seating, evaluation of strength and endurance, changes in weight, skin changes, and upper limb problems that might affect the patient's ability to perform pressure releases or transfers safely.
• Develop policies/protocols for evaluation and issuance of equipment, including templates for documentation, reference sheets, and individual procedures.
• Evaluate patients as appropriate using specialized evidence based occupational therapy services for their age and diagnosis to determine current levels of functioning (range of motion, strength/manual muscle test, coordination, sensation, proprioception, visual-perceptual skills, self-care, mobility skills, community living skills, pre-vocational skills, cognitive status).
• Participate in home visits as appropriate to patient's home or place of employment to assess for safety, self-care capability at home, ergonomic considerations, and need for adaptive equipment.

Educational Duties

• Demonstrate knowledge of general aging characteristics as well as aging with a spinal cord injury.
• Maintain Certification in Geriatrics and act as a resource in this area for the SCI population and staff. Serve as subject matter expert on Geriatrics and SCI both locally and nationally; clinicians mentored will be VA therapists as well as private sector therapists.
• Develop educational offerings for non-therapy staff (including nursing, social work, psychologists) on Aging with SCI strategies and interventions.
• Work with multi-disciplinary staff problem-solving Veteran accommodation for home, mobility, ADLs, function, exercise, and cognition.
• Exhibit an advanced skill set in SCI geriatric interventions allowing for participation in national conference calls to develop policies for Aging with SCI and interventions.
• Establish contact with local and national Geriatric SCI specialists, including device vendors to keep up to date on the newest products and rehabilitation interventions.
• Provide advanced expertise and training to occupational therapists and physical therapy assistants assigned to SCI service with additional focus on Geriatrics, Aging with SCI.

Administrative Duties

• Liaise with Prosthetics Department to review 1173.02 equipment to be ordered to allow for maximal usability by Veterans.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for the SCI department in Geriatrics, Aging with SCI.
• Make recommendations for purchase of capital equipment requests related to functional needs associated with SCI and aging and assessment.
• Participate in occupational therapy employee selection as requested.
• Provide input to SCI Therapy Manager for the development and/or revision of OT department policy and procedures as requested.
• Monitor occupational therapy equipment, informing SCI Therapy Manager when items are broken or missing.
• Assist the SCI Therapy Manager to establish patient care standards by designing and implementing an evaluation and program planning protocol for the service as requested.
• Monitor patient evaluation and treatment practices by occupational therapists within their specialty program as requested.
• Demonstrate ability to provide coverage during SCI Therapy Manager absence as requested.

Communication Duties

• Seek clarification, listen, and convey information clearly in written and verbal forms.
• Investigate and respond appropriately to all patient complaints and takes effective corrective action.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and VAPSHCS.
• Demonstrate tact, courtesy, and a positive approach to communication and interaction with other employees, visitors, physicians, and the public.
• Represent the SCI service and medical center in a positive manner.

Work Schedule: Mon - Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Telework: Not available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

US Department of Veterans Affairs