The Staff Occupational Therapist is assigned to the Occupational Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Washington, DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, DC. The therapist is assigned to work primarily in outpatient therapy, inpatient therapy, or Community Living Center rehabilitation. They are responsible for completing evaluations, developing treatment plans, and educating patients on current, evidence-based practices and principles.
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. 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's 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. 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: Specialized Experience - GS-9 Occupational Therapist Do you have the following: Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Individuals assigned at the GS-9 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems. The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently. OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists. OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed OT. Specialized Experience - GS-11 Occupational Therapist 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; Assignment. OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools. The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs 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. Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions. OTs 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. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services; 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. 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. Specialized Experience - GS-12 Occupational Therapist Education, Experience, or Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Assignment. OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. OTs demonstrate a full professional 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. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services. OTs at this level may be given assignments in any area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area. 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). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. 7 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. 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-11 to GS-12.
Duties include but are not limited to: Assists Supervisor, Occupational Therapy in planning and developing various treatment programs to meet patient needs, as requested by PM&RS supervisor. Actively supports and promotes all programs of PM&RS. Assist with orientation of new Occupational Therapy staff. Establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the DC VA Medical Center. Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of Occupational Therapy service. Assists in the development, planning and implementation of monitors of quality of care with respect to PM&RS as part of the comprehensive health care services delivered to the patients within the DC VA Medical Center. Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the Supervisor, Occupational Therapy Department. Reviews and makes recommendations on supply and equipment acquisition. Performs competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes, and discharge summaries. Demonstrates advanced competency in knowledge of electronic documentation and computer skills. Entering consults to the Prosthetics service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with PM&RS and medical center policies. Educates other facility personnel in the scope of PM&RS services and programs involving a variety of health care specialties. The OT continually seeks to improve knowledge and skill by review of current literature, participation in in-service training, and attendance at continuing education programs especially in their area of expertise. Continuing education and training will be focused on maintaining and improving competency in all general clinical functions but will also include coursework directed toward the development and improvement of clinical instruction, data collections and reporting techniques, and utilization and reporting of outcome measures. Maintains state licensure and CPR certification. Maintains active NBCOT certification. Completes all VAMC mandatory training in a timely manner. Completes Encounter information in accordance with DC VA Medical Center guidelines. Assists supervisor to maintain accreditation standards as assigned (ex: CARF, Joint Commission), including safety standards. Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred for Occupational Therapy. Assesses patient dysfunction using appropriate tests/tools. Establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the DC VA Medical Center. Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of occupational therapy care. Demonstrates the teaching skills required to provide education to patients, family members, caregivers, employees, students, and coworkers. Communicates effectively with other internal and external health care providers. Functions autonomously in carrying out patient education, specialized treatments, and applying occupational therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and AOTA documents. Modifies the treatment plan, therapeutic activities and interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of the patient. Modifies the treatment plan when either the established goals or timeframes for achievement of those goals has been attained. Participation in IDT meetings as directed by supervisor. Appropriate documentation in the various systems is completed (ex: Caribou). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Use of fingers, both hands required, Reaching above shoulder, Walking (8 hours), Standing (8 hours), Both legs required (1 prosthetic), Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (Aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability. Will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required.