Occupational Therapist

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To provide professional, independent occupational therapy services to those patients consulted through a healthcare provider and/or self-referrals. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Program III, in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas Clinic. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below

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: (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. 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 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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. Grade Determinations: 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. Examples of the GS-11 experience includes: Practice independently and responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools; Modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools; Select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety, wellness, performance in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), education, work, play, leisure, and social participation; demonstrate an understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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). (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. Preferred Experience: Experience in providing clinical guidance to OT practitioners in the Inpatient and Outpatient areas. Demonstrates knowledge, experience and skills in the prescription, fitting, and training in the use of specialty equipment. This includes needs for orthotics, static and dynamic (custom and/or prefabricated), assistive technology, wheelchair mobility, lifts and lift systems, devices for activities of daily living, modalities (electrical stimulation, ultrasound, etc.), and other devices.. Demonstrates clinical skills for both Inpatient and Outpatient population. Experience in Splinting, Intensive Care Units, and Upper extremity rehab. Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization. 2 to 4 years of experience. 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 GS-12 Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: Required lifting light to moderate (up to 44 pounds) and carrying light to moderate (up to 44 pounds), Straight pulling (2 hours); Pulling hand over hand (2 hours); Pushing (2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking and Standing (6 hours); Crawling (1 hour); Kneeling (2 hours); Repeated bending ( 6 hours); Climbing, legs only (2 hours); Both legs required; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Simple Grasping; and Fine Manipulation-keyboarding; Sitting (6hours); Twisting (6 hours).