This position is located in the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line (RECL) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, a complexity level 1a facility. This Occupational Therapist works in collaboration with the RECL, Mental Health Care Line, Medical Care Lines, and additional Care Lines to ensure the timely provision of effective and efficient Occupational Therapy services for patients referred.
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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph 3b(2) 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. Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist. (1) 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). (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. (3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. (4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist GS-09 Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11 Education, Experience, or Licensure. a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; OR (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. Occupational Therapist, GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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. 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. 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). Preferred Experience: Experience with interdisciplinary teams and working with diverse diagnoses ranging from but not limited to: orthopedic cases, neurologic disorders and major multiple trauma. 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-09 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Performs work in the Occupational Therapy clinic setting, in other therapy clinics, at the bedside, or in other locations in and around the MEDVAMC as deemed necessary in the care and safety of the individual patient. Responsible for planning, developing, and implementing basic effective Occupational Therapy assessments and treatments to patients with a wide variety of diagnoses and complexity levels referred primarily through providers from the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line, the Operative, Neurology, and Medicine Care Lines. Provides Occupational Therapy services to other patients as available or assigned. Serves as a member of the Rehab interdisciplinary care team and other patient care teams as needed to provide quality, effective, and efficient patient-centered care. Reviews the medical record and independently evaluates each patient to determine functional deficits and the best method to accomplish rehabilitation goals. Evaluates medical history, results and interprets appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: activities of daily living, IADL's, range of motion, muscle strength, sensory deficits, coordination, pain, cognitive, visual perceptual, etc. Utilizes standard and non-standard methods in the evaluation and interpretation of a wide variety of physical and cognitive functional levels. Provides group and individual treatments that are occupation based; promotes the Veterans' strengths and abilities while adapting for limitations; and develops skills that are within the individual's potential. Practices independently and is responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. Provides 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. Applies recognized Occupational therapy treatment procedures correctly, safely, and modifies these techniques in such a manner as not to interfere with any traction devices, surgical drains, catheters, immobilizing appliances, respiratory aides, or monitoring devices. On an on-going basis, in response to the patient's reaction to treatment, independently adapts and modifies treatment programs, to better meet short-term and long-term goals. Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment, significantly altered physical or mental status of patients, and reports to appropriate medical authority. Documents initial findings, treatment goals, equipment recommendations, treatment provided, patient progress, patient/family education, and discharge summary in patient's medical record in accordance with MEDVAMC, RCL policies and CARF and TJC standards. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 08:00 am - 4:30 pm, occasional weekends (subject to change based on needs of the facility) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-02135F, 580-02136F, 580-00744-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized