Occupational Therapist

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & 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.

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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. 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 Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. 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. 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. 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. OR, 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 (durable medical equipment). Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. Preferred Experience: At least 3 years or greater outpatient experience treating both acute and chronic UE diagnoses, splinting, physical agent modalities certification, cognitive and home safety evaluations. Clinical knowledge developing treatment plans for complex medical referrals. 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 work requires frequent stooping, bending, walking, handling of wheelchairs and lifting in conjunction with treatment of Veterans. At times, there may be undue heavy lifting due to unforeseen circumstances such as preventing a Veteran from falling. dexterity and skill in safe machinery techniques are required. The therapist will travel into the community to meet Veterans in a variety of areas. The therapist will be exposed to weather elements. Work Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts which require special safety and health precautions, e.g., working regularly with Veterans and in situations where there is risk of exposure to contagious diseases, odors and/or flammable gases. The occupational therapist is required to wear protective clothing such as gloves and a mask to prevent disease and the spread of infection.