The Occupational Therapist (OT) is assigned the Occupational Therapy section of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS). The occupational therapist provides comprehensive occupational therapy evaluation and treatment for complex, chronic, and acute disease, mental health and addition of the veteran population at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center.
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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)). Education and/or Experience. (1) 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. (2) 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. 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. 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). English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Requirements: 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. Assignment. Clinical OT specialists at this grade level serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. This individual must demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Clinical OT specialist may initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research. Reference: Former VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G14 Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard, GS-0631, dated December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Major Duties of the Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist), but are not limited to: Coordinates the scheduling, evaluation, and treatment of all OT Pelvic Rehab referrals, in both Physical Medicine and Rehab, and/or, in Women's Health, at VA Augusta. Demonstrates competence in treating both males and females with pelvic floor dysfunction. Performs occupational therapy evaluations and treatments for patients ranging in ages from adult to geriatric, having a variety of disabilities. These cases may be complex in nature with chronic and acute disease entities including, but not limited to Pelvic Rehab, Women's Health Occupational Therapy, diagnoses may include, but not limited to: urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, dyspareunia, vaginismus, vulvodynia, pelvic organ prolapse, interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, prostatitis, defecation disorders, management of IBS/IBD, Levator Ani Syndrome, coccygodynia, chronic pelvic pain, pudendal neuralgia, pelvic oncology rehab, peripartum and post-partum rehab, chronic and acute pain, orthopedic problems, joint replacement, central nervous system disorders, joint diseases, circulatory and pulmonary diseases, diabetes mellitus, altered thought processes and multi-system disease combinations. Has ability to determine the most appropriate plan of care relative to the patient's diagnosis and age. Skills were obtained through formal education and are maintained by ongoing continuing education each year. Performs and interprets tests and measures to assess normal parameters of physiological functions, as well as, pathophysiological, Patho mechanical, electrophysiological, ergonomic, and developmental deficits of bodily systems to determine diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention. Develops, coordinates, and implements highly specialized treatment programs within his/her assigned clinic, based on best practices for patient/client management, to relieve pain, restore or enhance performance, and maximize independence in functional abilities. Mentors and assists other occupational therapy staff in the management of highly complex medically impaired patients/individuals with pelvic impairments via consultation or co-treatment. Demonstrates clinical expertise in evaluation, interpretation, and treatment utilizing Biofeedback and specialty stimulation equipment such as Pathway CTS 2000 Continence Evaluation and Training System. Serves as a mentor/trainer to other staff in utilizing these devices. Demonstrates the ability to interpret and assimilate diagnostic testing from other disciplines related to pelvic dysfunctions including Urology, Gynecology, Neurology and Colorectal Services. Demonstrates skill in educating other staff in the utilization of this specialized information for effective client care. Plans and implements a comprehensive treatment regimen designed to maximize the function of the client with pelvic dysfunctions, including but not limited to pelvic/related pain, urinary/fecal incontinence, pre and post-partum, and weakness/dysfunction of pelvic floor structures. Directly assists the Occupational Therapy Supervisor/Chief in clinic development, outcome management, and strategic planning related to the Pelvic Rehabilitation Program. Recognizes the appropriateness of responses to treatment based on indications, precautions, and contraindications. Recognizes when to refer conditions outside the scope of Occupational Therapy practice to the appropriate provider. Considers the age/gender of the client, when assessing or providing client care, as it relates to their ability to understand directions and provide objective self-assessments when implementing the overall treatment plan. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 59501F