The Occupational Therapist(OT) provides services to the Veteran population enrolled at the Spokane Veterans Medical Center (VAMC) or through the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) served through Spokane. These services may include any one, or a combination of, the following: providing professional clinical services, conducting research, carrying out education and training activities, clinical consultation, supervision, and administration.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. 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). Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist, GS-9 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 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 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. 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-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting and carrying (45lbs and over), moderate lifting and carrying (15-44lbs), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking standing, repeated bending, both legs, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors include constant noise, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around moving objects or vehicles, working with hands in water, working closely with others, working alone, and protracted or irregular working hours.
Description below is for GS-12 (full performance level), GS-9 and GS-11 will differ in complexity and oversight. Staff OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for performing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions. They 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. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis. The staff OT is able to: Provide and document evaluation, goals, treatment plan, treatments, and appropriate modification of treatment for each patient. Demonstrate critical analysis 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. Collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrate 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. Procure, fabricate, adjust, adapt, and modify orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment). Contribute necessary information for departmental record keeping. Demonstrate necessary knowledge of required fundamentals to perform duties satisfactorily. Follow adopted policies and procedures. Analyze situations, make good decisions, recognize priorities and report pertinent information to supervisors in a timely manner. Consider the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the patient and correctly provides appropriate care for the patient's age group. Manage a reasonably assigned patient work load and complete required documentation in a timely manner. Respond to sudden increase in work load with reasonable prioritization and minimal loss of productivity. Delegate appropriate tasks to supportive personnel. Utilize active listening skills with patients, families, peers, and public. Communicate concise, appropriate, and necessary patient information to health team members sharing care responsibilities. 16) Seek out and attend continuing education appropriate for position. Conducts OT related in-service education and clinical training of peers and/or other departments. Perform general assignments in areas where occupational therapy services are deemed necessary. Work Schedule: 8AM - 5:30PM, Monday - Thursday Part-Time: 36 hours per week, 72 hours per biweekly pay period Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized