Occupational Therapist

Summary

Staff Occupational Therapists are responsible for providing independent assessment and treatment intervention for Veterans. They are assigned to all program areas under Rehabilitation Care Services. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time).

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Duties

Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-12, full performance level of this position, Occupational therapists at this level demonstrate treatment competency in the area of rehabilitation where the specialized knowledge is required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area. The incumbent may serve as the sole OT on a multidisciplinary team or on a specific service. Duties will include:

• Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary and evidence-based OT Practice.
• Demonstrates the ability to interpret clinician prescriptions and referrals.
• Evaluates patients as appropriate for their age and diagnosis to determine current levels of functioning (range of motion, strength, balance, coordination, sensation, proprioception, visual-perceptual skills, self-care, community living skills, prevocational skills, endurance, posture, and other musculoskeletal and neurologic assessments.) Demonstrates skill utilizing appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care.
• Based on evaluation findings and planning with the treatment team, Patient/family, and/or significant others, establishes goals and eventual discharge plans.
• Develops and carries out occupational therapy treatment to meet the individual rehabilitation objectives which may include: neuromuscular facilitation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, sensory integrative techniques: fabrication and/or application of splints/adaptive devices; serial casting; joint mobilization; biofeedback; perceptual motor integration; teaching adaptive or compensatory techniques; self care instruction; use of computer for cognitive impairments/upper extremity; power wheelchair prescription/training; assistive technology evaluation; posture/seating evaluation: pre-vocational training; physical capacities evaluations; aquatic therapy techniques; providing patient/family education regarding disability.
• Assesses the need for and the patient's ability to use adaptive equipment including ADL aids, power wheelchairs, bathroom aids, assistive technology (environmental control units, computers) etc.. Orders the appropriate equipment, issues it to patients and trains them in proper use of the devices.
• Conducts home evaluations and visits as necessary.
• Continuously re-evaluates patient performance making appropriate modifications to the treatment plan as indicated.
• Becomes FIM certified and evaluates patient's functional abilities using FIM scoring.
• Documents in writing in the format identified by department and JCAHO policy, patient's evaluation, goals, patient/family education, patients progress, and discharge summary.
• Requires an understanding of the problems of patients with multiple interacting medical and psychosocial issues allowing for thorough care.
• Handles and defuses volatile as needed behavior when dealing with patients who have a combination of physical and psychological problems.
• Adapts established treatment procedures and equipment for the successful treatment of complex cases.
• Serves as a professional role model to COTAs by providing efficient and quality patient care.
• Provides patient and family education relating to each patient's functional strengths and weaknesses in areas of home exercise programs, self-care, functional mobility, home and community management.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and ability to provide clinical training and supervision for occupational therapy interns enabling an intern to fulfill his/her educational and professional requirements.
• Orients patients, medical residents, allied health professionals, community organizations, students and volunteers to the purpose and function of occupational therapy within this area of OT service delivery.
• Provides covering therapists the necessary information to treat the caseload that they are likely to be assigned.
• Participates in OT, RCS, and interdepartmental staff development programs. Attends scheduled meetings and in-services. Provides at least one in-service per year to OT students and/or OT/RCS staff.
• Assists OT Clinical Specialist or OT Program Manager in identifying needs, designing and implementing programs for assigned service as needed.
• Provides accurate and timely information to OT Program Manager for all required reports and monthly statistics of patient visits and workload.
• Participates in the collection of data for QI monitors, and outcome measures relating to services provided by OT as assigned by the OT Therapy Program Manager.
  
  

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30AM-4:00PM

Telework: Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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Requirements

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
  
  

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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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: 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 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
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Failure to Obtain Licensure/Certification: In all cases, graduate OTs must actively pursue obtaining required credentials (i.e., NBCOT certification and/or state licensure) from the date of their appointment. Failure to obtain required credentials by the prescribed date will 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:

Occupational Therapist, GS-11

• Education, Experience, or Licensure.
• Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or
• Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or
• 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14 II-G14-1 APPENDIX G14. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD

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: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Crawling, 0-2 hours; Repeated bending, 0-1 hours; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Mental/emotional stability; Working Outside and inside; Working closely with others; Working alone;

Education


IMPORTANT: A transcript with confer date must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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VA Puget Sound Health Care System

1660 South Columbian Way

Seattle, WA 98108

US