Occup Therapy Assistant Job in Fort Wayne, IN

Vacancy No. CBSR-12730797-25-KAP Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $55,328.00 to $71,932.00 Grade 8 to 8
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/30/2025 Close Date 5/16/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Wayne, IN


Summary

Position is located in the Occupational Therapy Department of the Pain Management and Rehabilitation Services (PM&RS) in the (NIHCS-Marion/Fort Wayne) VA medical Center. Under the direct supervision of an Occupational therapist, OTAs plan, coordinate and administer occupational therapy treatment for prevention, remediation and rehabilitation of diverse diagnoses in all practice (inpatient & outpatient) areas to both individuals and groups as well as develop and implement new programs.



This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

All qualified US Citizens candidates are encouraged to apply. Non-citizens may be appointment when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. This is an external announcement open to the U.S. Citizens and current permanent Federal employees of other Agencies. All current, permanent employees of VA Northern Indiana Health Care please apply to: CBSR-12730798-25-KAP

Duties

Employee receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the Occupational Therapist. Plans and implements treatment programs and applies occupational therapy procedures to patients under the supervision of an occupational therapist. Consults with the licensed occupational therapist regarding complex or special problem cases.

Employee may carry out or oversee the work of a lower graded assistants to accommodate requests.

Secures the confidence and cooperation of Veterans during treatment. Interacts with the patient and family to explain therapy procedures, discuss treatment plans and motivate Veterans and family members to comply with indicated regimens and post discharge activities. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities.

Independently develops therapeutic regimens for occupational therapy patients based on the assigning occupational therapist's patient evaluation and goals. Modifies the interventions based on the patient s response.

Completes a review of patient data (including medical history). Assists in and renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of occupational therapy treatment programs. This is done in consultation with the occupational therapist.

Screens, advises, and assists Veterans through the occupational therapy regimen. Adapts and adjust occupational therapy procedures as needed. Assists therapist in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long and short-term goals.

Independently modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches with prior approval of the therapist. Makes modifications within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the Veteran and his or her sociocultural context.

Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials and activities in response to each veteran's response to treatment. Adapts the technical procedures and approaches to meet Veteran's needs.

Prepares written and oral reports for the physical therapists and other professionals concerned with care. Completes all required computerized computer documentation.

Performs other related duties, or responsibilities as assigned to support the overall mission of the Occupational Therapy department or the Medical Center.


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: May be available upon request
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91448-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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

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.
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Education. Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: (1) Associate's (or higher) Degree in Occupational Therapy from a college or University accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). (2) Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE.
  • Certification-OTAs must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
  • Licensure- Licensure. OTAs must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico) or in the District of Columbia.
  • English Language Proficiency. OTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English [in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).]

Grade Determinations:
Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-08 must meet the basic requirements above and possess the following:

(1) Experience. One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level.

(2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the
candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to implement delegated assessments.
(b) Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance.
(c) Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status.
(d) Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities.
(e) Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.
(f) Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services.

Preferred Experience: Clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Staffing.

Physical Requirements:
Must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Must have, usable vision, color vision, hearing, or speech. However, these impairment will not automatically disqualify an applicant for appointment. The loss or impairment of any of these functions may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Must be able to sit, stand, bend, twist lift/push/pull up to 40 pounds.
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy: GS 8

Education

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

Transcripts must be official or unofficial college transcripts. A copy of your certificate/degree or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript and they will not be used in the qualifying process. Your transcript must include your name and the name and full address of the institution.

If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on education, you need to list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study. If the position requires a certain number of credit hours, you are strongly encouraged to list the relevant courses in your resume.

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

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.

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.

"VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being."

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.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Your resume MUST include:

  • Your name and current contact information.
  • A description of job duties for each job listed.
  • Beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment.
  • Average hours worked per week.
  • Descriptions of job duties must be sufficiently detailed to document the level of your experience.

Note: Do not include photographs, links to social media such as LinkedIn, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, or personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume or with your application package.

  • For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here.
  • TIP: A good way to ensure you include all essential information is to use the Resume Builder in USAJOBS to create your resume.
  • For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
  • IMPORTANT: Please ensure your resume includes up-to-date contact information (phone number(s), email address(s), etc.)
To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Ensure you support your self-ratings by the information you provide in your application. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be enough cause to end further consideration of your candidacy.

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
  • Resume
  • Transcript



The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • NBCOT Certification
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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 05/08/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12730797.

  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

Kelly Pilozo
Address
Northern Indiana HCS
1700 East 38th Street
Marion, IN 46953
US

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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