OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST-CLINICAL SPECIALIST-HOME BASED PRIMARY CARE Job in Grand Junction, CO

Vacancy No. CBSU-12559127-24-MJR Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $123,751.00 to $160,880.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Part-time
Open Date 9/27/2024 Close Date 1/31/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Grand Junction, CO


Summary

This is a Part-Time 20 hour per week position. The Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Occupational Therapist (OT), Clinical Specialist, is located in HBPC Department in the Grand Junction (GRJ) VA Western Colorado Health Care System (WCHCS). The HBPC OT provides care for veterans in their homes with complex, longitudinal, mixed or chronic medical and/or psychiatric conditions, cognitive impairments, and veterans with terminal illness.


This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This position is ONLY open to current, permanent VA Grand Junction (WCHCS) Employees, VA Employees Nationwide, and all other Federal Employees. *** If you are NOT a current federal employee, please apply to the Public Announcement CBSU-12559128-24-MJR***

Duties

-Plans, integrates, and implements Occupational Therapy in the HBPC Program.
-Perform comprehensive evaluations directed at ascertaining the patient's functional status, rehabilitation needs, goals, and rehabilitation potential.
-Modifies goals and treatment based on response to care.
-Perform a final evaluation and discharge the patient if objective goals have been reached or maximal rehabilitation improvement has been obtained.
-Provide clinical services in the homes of HBPC Veterans, and when appropriate through the use of telehealth and/or VVC (VA Video Connect).
-Travel within the catchment area of VAWCHCS and possess and maintain a valid state drivers license.
-Serve as subject matter expert and consultant to OTs and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating geriatric patients in HBPC and across Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC).
-Function as a staff Occupational Therapist in all settings, including inpatient and outpatient Geriatric and Extended Care Services.
-Evaluate referred patients, establish, and execute treatment plans that include a full range of treatment procedures and modalities.
-Provide backup coverage and/or assigned duties to support GEC programs when needed.

Administrative

-Assist HBPC Program Manager in updating and maintaining HBPC Occupational Therapy policies and procedures.
-Coordinate the efficient operation and function of the HBPC Occupational Therapy program.
-Understand and adhere to policies and procedures for the GEC Service and HBPC Program.
-Participate in GEC and HBPC performance improvement program development and regular monitoring of important aspects of care.
-Provide timely statistical reports as required by the HBPC Program Manager.
-Ensure compliance with applicable Joint Commission and VHA standards within the HBPC Occupational Therapy program.
-Ensure proper supply levels are maintained for patient treatment.
-Participate in HBPC staff meetings.

Clinical

-Evaluates all HBPC patients referred to Occupational Therapy and implements appropriate treatment regimes.
-Documents initial assessments, treatment plans and response to treatment as determined in subsequent patient home visits, telephone calls, and case management work, according to HBPC policy and Joint Commission standards.
-Uses standard and nonstandard methods for evaluating issues in the home environment to identify potential problems and a baseline level of function. -Evaluates and treats patients not in their home environment.
-Develops appropriate treatment plans and goals, including determining appropriate home modifications needed to increase patient safety and level of independence.
-Performs a full range of OT treatment procedures modifying the treatment according to the patient's response to intervention and pre-existing medical conditions.
-Terminates treatment objectives when met/and/or the patient has achieved maximum benefit from rehabilitation services.
-Performs and documents reassessments, recognizing changes in patient's needs and reestablishes priorities for care, seeking assistance as necessary.
-Effectively uses EMR, other computer software and VVC as needed to complete assigned duties and provide care to veterans.
-Presents patients to physicians and other HBPC team members with information regarding performance, current status, and continuing goals.
-Works effectively with treatment team members and other health care providers in coordinating the patient's total care.
-Assesses need for, measures, fits, and instructs patients/caregiver in the safe use of any issued adaptive equipment and/or assistive devices.
-Justifies special equipment requests.
-Monitors patient's tolerance to therapeutic procedures, including tolerance for prescribed adaptive equipment.
-Recognizes unanticipated rates of progress, significantly altered physical/mental status of patient, and/or undesirable secondary effects of treatment.
-Effectively communicates and educates, both orally and in writing, with veterans, caregivers, family, and co- workers in the following manner.
-Develops and involves patient/family/caregivers in establishing realistic, measurable goals, cares and education.
-Initiates and completes documentation in the medical record to reflect teaching, patient/caregiver response and outcomes.
-Performs all required documentation in a timely manner, meeting service, Joint Commission, and Medical Center standards.
-Provides patient/and or family/caregiver, and/or refers to patient/and or family/caregiver to Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service for the appropriate forms for the patient to apply for Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA).
-Completes VA Clinical Reminders applicable to the OT's assessment.

Work Schedule: Wed- 08:00am-12:00pm, Thu & Fri- 08:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 54323-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 27, 2024. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be October 11, 2024. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. ***

Basic Requirements:

-Citizenship
Be a citizen of the United States.

-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:
  • Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and 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.
  • Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and 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.
  • Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.
-Foreign Graduates
Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to below.

-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.

Grade Determinations:

Occupational Therapist-Clinical Specialist, 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 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
  • An additional advanced degree in a related field.
AND

-Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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.

Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years experience. Experience in Geriatrics, Primary Care, and/or Home Care, as well as experience working in multi-disciplinary environments, is preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: This position requires frequent bending and lifting, and the ability to assist patients with a variety of therapeutic activities. Incumbent must be able to lift 50 pounds to chest height and maintain good body mechanics.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • License
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

  • Cover Letter
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/27/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12559127.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Address
VA Western Colorado Health Care System
2121 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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