Occupational Therapist

Qualifications

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
• English Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C
• 7403(f)
• 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
• Certification
• Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an Occupational Therapist
• Education / and / or Experience
• 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
• Grade Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-9
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-11
• Experience
• One year experience equivalent at the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• Education
• 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
• 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
• GS-12
• Experience
• One year experience equivalent at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• 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 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 : Geriatric and Mental Health Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https : / / www.va.gov / ohrm / QualificationStandards /
• 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 : The physical demands of the position involve standard office requirements such as using the telephone, retrieving files, writing reports, data entry and maintenance of computer databases, etc
• The position requires periods of walking, standing and bending
• If unable to meet the physical demands for the position, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions
• Must have good manual dexterity
• Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken and written word
• Must be able to view and read information on computer screens
• The therapist will travel into the community to meet Veterans in a variety of areas
• The therapist will be exposed to weather elements.