The registered occupational therapist provides direct service to referred adult Veterans in all states of health & illness primarily followed by the Home Based Primary Care Program (HBC or HBPC). Independently plans, develops, and implements comprehensive & complex treatment programs for individual Veterans and groups of patients referred to or followed by HBC.
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 (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. 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. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing,] must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. 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. 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. GS-12 Education, Experience: 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: VA Handbook 5005/127 For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Occasional walking, standing, sitting, and operating a motor vehicle. Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of up to 50 pounds.
Serves as a member of multiple HBPC interdisciplinary treatment teams representing Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS). Represents PM&RS in policy and procedure development, quality assurance monitors, and development of standards of care to ensure compliance with accrediting professional organizations. Supervises occupational therapy, occupational therapy assistant and medical students as assigned. Functions of Position: Clinical Independently evaluates, develops, and implements appropriate occupational therapy treatment for patient's age and diagnosis. This includes but is not limited to activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, motor and sensory functions, and cognitive perceptual function. Independently administers and interprets recognized tests and measurements to determine baseline level of physical, psychosocial and cognitive functioning and treatment applications which will enable patients to achieve valued functional outcomes. Documents results timely and appropriately. Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out treatment program and re-evaluates and adjusts treatment as appropriate. Recommends and coordinates referral to community based therapy providers for in home therapy as appropriate. Independently completes a home environment safety assessment, including the immediate area outside the dwelling, e.g., pool or water hazards, to identify potential hazards and review emergency preparation and procedures with patients and their families. Responsible for the management and organization of the treatment area and works independently in planning and carrying out a treatment program to meet complex treatment objectives. Independently solves complex problems related to OT. Adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities and procedures to meet the needs of the patients. Elicits patient participation in implementing occupational therapy objectives in restoring or maintaining patient performance. Independently employs different motivational techniques to ensure patient participation in treatment program where objectives are difficult to achieve because of severity or complexity of disabilities. Determines need for orthotic or assistive/adaptive devices/equipment and training. Recommendations are specific to the Veteran's home environment to promote and/or maintain independence and safety. Provides patient with splints and/or adaptive equipment as needed to attain treatment goals. Educates patient and significant other in the proper application/installation/use for a specific device. Monitors patient's response to program, summarizes and analyzes patient's performance, and modifies program and goals when necessary to meet patient's needs as situations and performance changes in order to attain projected functional outcomes. Consults as needed with Supervisor, other OT staff and/or ward team members as to the progress and changing needs. Re-administers evaluations using established methods of measurement to document changes in patient performance as it relates to projected outcome levels. Regularly writes progress notes in the electronic record evaluating patient's response to treatment, analyzing treatment plans, progress, symptoms, attitudes, and/or reactions. Records changes in treatment activities according to established policies, procedures, and time frames. Administration: Adheres to established standards, policies, and procedures set forth by section, service, and medical center. Supervisory Controls related to the position, covering clinical and administrative aspects of the work. Occupational Therapist exercises independent judgment, utilizing professional practices and ethics as guidelines following the overall objectives to be achieved and priorities to be met which have been established by the Occupational Therapy Supervisor at the W. G. (Bill) Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The therapist is directly responsible to the Supervisor, Occupational Therapy. Customer Service Requirements Consistently communicates with customers in a professional, courteous, tactful and helpful manner. Communication, both oral and written, is generally provided promptly and is responsive to the customer's needs. Computer Security Requirements Employee protects printed and/or electronic files containing sensitive data under provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, and policies.VA statues and VHA policy; protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. as set out in the computer. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm