This assignment carries responsibility for providing occupational therapy evaluation and treatment to veteran patients according to the Northport VAMC mission and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation guidelines. The incumbent may be assigned and rotated to the following treatment areas: acute inpatient, outpatient, subacute, the Community Living Center (CLC), Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) or a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). 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 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. (2) 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements above if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of this appendix. Certification. Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an Occupational Therapist. 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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Occupational Therapist, GS-9 Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. 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: 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 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: 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: Outpatient experience preferred References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/127 PART II, APPENDIX G14 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0631, dated December 13, 2019. 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-9 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["The occupational therapy clinician is responsible for evaluation, planning, and implementing the treatment program for patients with various disabilities and medical conditions. The OT selects and provides direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. The OT demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application using activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. He/she works effectively with patients, families, care partners and treatment team members. The clinician establishes and executes a full range of treatment procedures designed to restore patients to their highest possible functional level. He or She will assist in program development, and providing comprehensive occupational therapy services for veterans. They may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial. The incumbent is also responsible for coordination and supervision of treatment plans with the staff Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). The therapist will coordinate and supervise students and volunteers that rotate through the OT section. This includes but is not limited to: full and part time undergraduate students, Masters in OT (MOT) or entry Doctorate (OTD) students, Medical Students, Residents and Physiatrist Fellows that rotate through the Section. In addition, the clinician is responsible for his/her own professional development, keeping current with research and treatment techniques as well as licensure. Interprets the consults requesting OT using specialized skills and medical knowledge. Patient medical records are reviewed to assess the appropriateness of occupational therapy intervention, note any potential risks or contraindications to treatment. Evaluates the veterans Occupational Profile providing an understanding of the client occupational history, experiences, patterns of daily living, interests, values, and needs, motor and process skills and communication/interaction skills. Based on evaluation finding, patient/family and/or significant other, establishes therapeutic goals and treatment plans to meet the goals established. Develops an intervention plan based on evaluation findings, OT theory and evidence-based practice. This plan is to be developed in collaboration with the veteran and care partners as appropriate. The plan will consider potential discharge needs. The plan will include objective and measurable goals with an established timeframe. Make changes to the treatment intervention based on the patient response to treatment in a manner that utilizes creative thinking and problem solving in order to reach maximal functional outcomes. Completes appropriately timed re-evaluations of the plan; modify the plan/goals as needed to achieve targeted outcomes. Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance in their area of expertise to other therapists within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PM&RS). The OT clinician functions independently and uses her own judgment in developing workload, developing programs, and selecting proper avenues and resources to meet identified needs. The OT oversees treatment provided by staff occupational therapy assistant (COTA) as well as student program including responsibility for assignment of work performed, recommendations, and, when appropriate, identification of continuing education and training needs. As applicable, the clinician will manage and supervise the students and maintain the role as liaison with affiliated colleges. The OT serves as consultant to other facility personnel/clinicians in solving therapeutic problems and evaluating/ treating the most complex cases. At times they may need to consult with other clinicians with more expertise and knowledge for treatment planning as well as the treatment performed. Work Schedule: 3 days a week, 8:00am - 4:30pm , Days and Time are flexible and may require evenings and weekend coverage. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21O20-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
