Occupational Therapist

Summary

This position is established within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System on the main campus in Tucson, Arizona. The incumbent may be assigned and rotated to the following treatment areas: acute inpatient, outpatient, the Community Living Center (CLC) or assigned to a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).

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Duties

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Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to:

CLINICAL

- Possesses knowledge of advanced occupational therapy techniques to perform functions associated within the occupational therapy scope of practice.

- Has primary responsibility for planning, revising, and implementing treatment programs based upon initial and interim evaluations, including the patient and family in the process.

- Demonstrates knowledge of principles and techniques in the occupational therapy assessment and treatment of individuals consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidenced based practice, inclusive of the individual's occupational, cognitive, and psychological functional deficits.

- Communicates and collaborates with the patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals, and other internal/external stakeholders both orally and in writing.

- Adapts assessment tools and treatments to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrates the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non- standard methods and techniques.

- Provides appropriate devices for activities of daily living and upper extremity support and can fabricate, adjust, adapt, and modify orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment or other durable medical equipment for activities of daily living in order to meet the needs of patients.

- Develops home programs for patients as needed prior to discharge and instructs patient, family, or caregivers in implementation of home program.

- Manages time for scheduling patients to allow for unforeseen incidents or interruptions in planned program. Easily adapts, as needed to contribute to the overall function of the department, by assisting in coverage for absent staff members, to ensure continuity and quality of care for patients served.

- Provides clinical oversite and collaboration with occupational therapy assistants (OTA) and students on clinical rotations who are in OT or OTA programs.

- Assures section compliance with all applicable standards such as CARF and the Joint Commission and National Patient Safety Goals.

ADMINISTRATIVE

- Maintains patient records, statistics, etc. required by and for the section/service/center.

- Maintains confidentiality of patient medical records according to established policy.

- Effectively communicates and provides information to appropriate interdisciplinary team members related to patient progress, goal status, needs, discharge planning, as appropriate for his/her clinical area.

- Maintains clinic and equipment in a safe and orderly manner in accordance with safety and infection control policies, JCAHO/CARF regulations, and other relative regulatory policies.

- Responsible for maintaining knowledge of and adhering to all medical center and department administrative policies and procedures.- Delegates procedures, treatments, and consultations to appropriate and qualified personnel as the situation indicates (i.e., OTAs, students, volunteers, etc.).

- Maintains effective communication using tact, courtesy, and respect during interactions with immediate coworkers, team members, all medical center staff, visitors, patients, and families.- Utilizes appropriate, effective instructor/learner interaction techniques to ensure a positive learning atmosphere for students. Completes all required documentation related to student rotations, as needed.

-Assists with developing innovative programs within his/her department to improve patient care and the provision of services, regularly reviews all existing programs to ensure effectiveness.

- Attends and actively participates in conferences, rounds, huddles, discharge planning, team meetings, etc., as part of an interdisciplinary team.

EDUCATIONAL

-Maintains a level of professional knowledge appropriate for age, sex and ethnic group of patients in program area.

- Provides and attends in-services, seminars, workshops, and lectures related to clinical assignment and OT knowledge and skills, as well as PM&R services.

- Serves on committees in PM&RS or the medical center, participates in community or professional organizations.

- Ability to facilitate and instruct as part of clinical training programs, completes all required paperwork.

- Participates in continuing education related to the evidence-based practice of OT to maintain current knowledge or competence in the practice area.

- Conducts or assists with in-service programs for other services or departments as needed.

- Participates in educational training programs or activities related to safety, infection control, quality assurance, CARF, etc. when requested.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

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

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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 :

Citizenship . Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)).

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 .

• (1) 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.

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.

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 this 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: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) 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. (4) 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 : In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Occupational Therapist GS-09: Education, Experience, and Licensure: None beyond basic requirements.

Occupational Therapist GS-11: (1) 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.

(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.
• Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment.
• Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
• Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.
• Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
• Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.

Occupational Therapist GS-12: (1) 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.

(2) 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).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

Education

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: This position frequently requires minimal (under 15 lbs.) to moderate lifting (15-45 lbs.) Normally such lifting will involve but not be limited to assisting with transfers or gait training of the client in the physical therapy session. Must be able to walk (up to 8 hours); Stand (up to 8 hours); and tolerate repeated bending. The environment usually involves everyday risks of discomfort which requires safety precautions typical of hospital, offices, and meeting rooms. There is the occasional risk of physical harm from a violent client which may require special precaution and training. Special precautions are required regarding infectious diseases through client contact and airborne organisms. These requirements are in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3K and VA Handbook 5019, Part II and Part III.

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

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.

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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