Incumbent functions as the NMVAHCS Occupational therapy Clinical Education Coordinator. The Incumbent possesses advanced knowledge of contemporary Occupational Therapy across multiple areas of practice, and demonstrates the ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to staff therapists within the department. The Incumbent also performs work consistent with a staff therapist.
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. The authority to set requirements is provided by 38 U.S.C. § 3 7402(b)(14). Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education/Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the 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. 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. 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. 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 (Clinical Specialist), GS-13 Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled and one of the following: A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or, An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements. Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Clinical: The Occupational Therapist Clinical Education Coordinator develops and administers clinical training programs for occupational therapy students, occupational therapy assistant trainees, associated health trainees, facility staff and/or occupational medicine and rehabilitation therapy disciplines. These assignments occur at active, affiliated VA facilitates where specialized occupational therapy treatment programs are provided. Ability to coordinate and maintain academic agreements and assignments for student affiliations with universities, colleges and other academic organizations Demonstrates advanced knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff OTs. Ability to balance responsibilities and to work with great autonomy. Designs, conducts and evaluates educational experiences for Occupational Therapy students, associated health trainees, and other personnel assigned to occupational therapy for training. Arranges and serves as an instructor for staff in-service training programs. Serves on curriculum committees of colleges and universities and has substantial input into the course content for occupational therapy students. 1. Seeks and maintains communication and positive community relations with the Academic Coordinators of Clinical Education (and the faculty, students, and NMVAHCS clinical alumni) of schools who have established Clinical Education contracts with NMVAHCS. Reaches out and solicits participation from interested schools not yet on contract and facilitates the process. Incumbent is responsible for maintaining these relationships and ensuring all contracts are active. 2. Initiates and maintains positive communication with each student, assistant trainees and associated health trainees referred to our clinics prior to, during, and after their clinical education experience. 3. Develops a NMVAHCS clinical alumni connection and maintains contact in order to preserve positive community relations, staff recruitment, research, and other opportunities as they present. 4. Assigns students/ assistant trainees/ associated health trainees to clinic(s) and places them under the supervision of a Clinical Instructor attempting to best match the clinician's and student's teaching/learning style, forte, clinical preferences, etc. 5. Serves as an active liaison between the student/ assistant trainees/associated health trainees and the Clinical Instructor for issues that require mediation, schedule adjustments, assistance with arranging learning opportunities outside the clinic (i.e. observation of surgery, etc.), and related needs. As Clinical Educator: Plans, arranges, advertises, and coordinates continuing education and vendor demonstration opportunities for our rehab staff, students, and related internal & external customers through inviting guest speakers and/or presenting on own. Topics will reflect staff needs, interests, best practice, clinical development, and will be aligned with organizational strategic plans. With input from clinical staff and other stakeholders, recommends and makes available multimedia patient education tools (anatomical charts, healthy posters, anatomical models, multimedia, etc.) that would better enable patients to acquire information related to their disease, rehabilitation/recovery, and maintenance of healthy living. Works with clinical staff to develop patient/family support groups reflecting topics of interest. Surveys rehab staff and internal & external customers to identify educational opportunities. iv. Presents on related topics to professional rehab groups, students, faculty, professional Associations, and staff. As a Staff Therapist: Performs functions of a staff therapist at any time, or as directed, when not consumed with tasks & responsibilities as Clinical Educator Coordinator. Routinely plans and provides patient evaluation and treatment which requires application of highly specialized skills and knowledge to accomplish complex objectives. Has thorough understanding of pathology of physical and psychological disabilities; can interpret a wide variety of functional levels. Independently develops and implements occupationally therapeutic treatment using judgment to modify treatment based on changing medical conditions or due to complexity of disabilities. In implementing treatment program, involves patient's social, economic and functional wellbeing. Works effectively with treatment team and other staff in coordinating patient's total care. Clinically supervises Occupational Therapy Assistants, aides, and volunteers who are assigned to the section. Revised 05/2025 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized