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.
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.
Grade Determinations:
GS-9
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
Assignments. [Individuals assigned at the GS-9 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems. The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently. OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists. OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed OT.]
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.
GS-12
In addition to fully meeting the completion of one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and directly related to this position, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Do you meet this requirement
(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.
References: Hybrid Title 38 Occupation official qualification standards of the position as stated in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14
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-12.
Physical Requirements:
Occupational Therapy is considered a vocation that requires "medium" strength according to the Department of Labor. Medium work entails exerting 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Occupational Therapy is a vocation that requires regular and recurring physical exertion with long periods of standing, bending, walking and periods of assisting patients with transfers. This hospital has a policy of NO PATIENT LIFT, meaning that mechanical lifts are available to assist with safe patient transfers without lifting patients directly.
Occupational Therapy requires good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with activities such as:
1. Operating all aspects of a computer 0-keyboarding, mouse, and control buttons.
2. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of adaptive equipment of patient teaching.
3. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as a screwdriver or pliers.
4. Fabricating splints or adaptive equipment requiring the use of scissors, cutting tools, and ability to mold plastic, foam or plaster.
Preferred Experience: Background in hand/UE management and general occupational therapy practice, to include home/ADL safety assessments.