Occupational Therapist

Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $ & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Qualifications
Basic Requirements:

• 1
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 2
• English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• 3
• Education and/or Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: 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 American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) January 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 decision that ACOTE would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy
• OR 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 *Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current - full - active and unrestricted 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
• 4
• Certification: Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an OT
• 5
• 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
• Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist: 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)
• 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
• A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements
• Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years - or converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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: 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: Occupational Therapist GS-9: Education - Experience - or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
• 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
• 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 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• (Continued in Education...)

Duties

• Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Clinical Independently and comprehensively evaluates a wide variety of patients as appropriate for their diagnosis to determine current levels of function and areas of impairment
• Evaluations may include the following areas: activities of daily living - strength - range of motion - sensation - perception - and cognition using standardized and non- standardized evaluation tools
• Based on the evaluation and collaboration with the patient - treatment team - and significant others (when appropriate) - develops a treatment plan and measurable goals designed to restore function - compensate for dysfunction - and minimize debilitation
• Implements occupational therapy plans to meet the patient's rehabilitation objectives
• Treatment may include functional activities and specific treatment methods and modalities which have as their goal the improvement of patient's activities of daily living - strength - range of motion - sensation - perception - or cognitive status
• Treatment may involve the prescription - fabrication - and training in the use of splints and adaptive equipment as well as instructing the patient and/or caregiver in its safe and proper use
• Other interventions may include the evaluation for - prescription of and training in - the use of wheelchairs and power mobility devices
• The assessments may include patient's fixed and modifiable deformities - sitting/postural requirements - presence of amputations - skin integrity - pressure areas - living environment - and mode of transportation for the device
• Ensuring an appropriate fit of a manual wheelchair may include making some mechanical adjustments and/or attaching positioning devices and accessories
• Educational Increases knowledge and skills by attending seminar - workshops - lectures - and in-services - particularly in the field of physical rehabilitation
• Develops and implements interdepartmental and intradepartmental in-services and ongoing training
• Supervises and trains occupational therapy interns and students when assigned by supervisor
• Interprets occupational therapy to patients - residents - allied health professionals - students - volunteers - visiting public and Veterans Affairs officials
• Administrative Identifies supply and equipment needs and submits requests for ordering and ensuring proper supply inventory levels are maintained
• Maintains a safe and orderly clinic environment
• Responsible for identifying safety hazards and faulty equipment in the OT clinic and submitting appropriate work orders
• Participates in developing Quality Improvement indicators - monitors QI activity - and provides statistical data as needed
• Identifies opportunities for program development and assists Section Chief in developing new programs or expanding current programs
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Monday to Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Available for Ad-Hoc telework only Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized