Incumbent is fully responsible for the administration and clinical management of the Occupational Therapy program at the Black Hills Health Care System, including both Fort Meade and Hot Springs divisions. Home Based Primary Care services are available in a 50-mile radius of Fort Meade and a 70-mile radius of Hot Springs.
All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package. 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: (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. 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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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: Supervisory Occupational Therapist, 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. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions. (b) Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality performance, and productivity within the service. (c) Skill in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers to include conflict resolution. (d) Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools. Assignment. Supervisory OTs at this level are generally found at complex facilities. The supervisory occupational therapist is responsible for the supervision, administrative management and direction of the occupational therapy program in an OT section or equivalent work group. They have oversight for planning and directing the staff assignments in a variety of clinical settings. The supervisory OT provides a Veteran/client centered environment while enhancing staff engagement. Typical duties include: assigning work; monitoring clinical performance; resolving staff conflicts; identifying continuing education and training needs; and preparing performance standards and ratings. They interview candidates for positions; recommend appointments, advancements, or when appropriate, disciplinary actions; administer leave; and coordinate staffing needs. Supervisory OTs may provide occupational therapy and have capacity to care for more complex patients. They develop/initiate new treatment programs which integrate outcomes and advancements in practice from current research findings. The supervisory OT serves as an instructor in the facility's in-service clinical training program. They serve as an advocate and resource consultant to the therapy staff and facility-at-large through communication with other departments, physicians, external agencies and other groups Preferred Experience: VHA Experience or training preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.
Major duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Plans, directs, and supervises the comprehensive Occupational Therapy program of the Black Hills Health Care System for both Fort Meade and Hot Springs and has full supervisory responsibility for all the programs and therapists involved. Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex, and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge in the areas of occupational therapy. These skills and interventions will be based on current occupational therapy theory, research, and practice. Evaluates patients to determine current level of functioning, such as range of motion, strength, sensory awareness proprioception, coordination, perception, cognitive and social skills, self-care, orthotic and prosthetic needs, and adaptive equipment, utilizing standardized measurements as well as complex, unique methods to interpret the physical and psychosocial problems of the patient. Data from the evaluation process is used to implement comprehensive patient treatment plans, involving the patient in goal setting as appropriate. Demonstrates independent problem-solving skills that allow for frequent modification of treatment plans in response to subtle, but significant changes in the condition of the patient. The employment of innovative treatment techniques is used to obtain the best outcome. The coordination of multiple treatment approaches simultaneously is needed to accomplish complex treatment objectives. Critical assessment of treatment outcomes will be regularly performed. Supervises and directs the Recreation Therapy program at VA BHHCS, for REC at both physical sites. Assures that OT and RT specialists, therapists and assistants maintain skills and competencies appropriate to their level of function. Responsible for assignment of work area and tour of duty for therapists, assistants, and volunteers; development of new programs, assurance of documentation in patient's medical record; assurance of best possible ongoing patient treatment and education to patients and caregivers in all OT areas. Participates as a consultant to others interested in conducting research. Consults with staff and resident physicians through involvement in interdisciplinary team participation in acute medical/surgical discharge planning, specialty clinics, spinal cord and TBI, conferences, and informal contacts. Responsible for coordinating OT Home Based Primary Care Services, OT VA Home Health Services and OT home evaluations and treatment recommendation for BHHCS, both sites. Makes recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of complex patient population For each patient assigned, documents of the medical records and initial evaluation, long and short-term goals, progress reports, which include treatment provided and outcome in terms of function and discharge summaries which include outcomes of goals set and patient education. Completes patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted OT practices, facility and service policies and procedures Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, schedule to be discussed during interview Telework: Ad-hoc only, per supervisor's discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized