Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The position is in the Occupational Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) in the VA New York Harbor Health Care System. The Occupational Therapist is a professional who utilizes the application of a goal oriented, purposeful activity in the assessment and treatment of individuals whose function is impaired by physical illness or injury, psychiatric and/or emotional disorder, congenital or developmental learning disabilities or the aging process.

Responsibilities may span various program areas including clinical, administrative, and patient care across all VA New York Health Care System campuses and the community. The therapist may also provide weekend and holiday coverage, participate in Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC), and travel to other VA New York Health Care System facilities as needed, directed by the Supervisory Physical/Occupational Therapist.

Major duties include but are not limited to:

Clinical Functions

• The incumbent is a licensed occupational therapist responsible for administering comprehensive occupational therapy programs to Veterans. Key duties include evaluating and treating Veterans, creating and modifying treatment plans, carrying out complex therapeutic procedures, and employing multiple treatment approaches. The incumbent utilizes comprehensive assessment data to form treatment goals and plans, ensuring compliance with established occupational therapy protocols, ethics, and guidelines.
• The therapist selects and provides a range of interventions aimed at enhancing daily living activities and overall wellness. The incumbent communicates effectively with Veterans, families, and the healthcare team and involves them in the treatment process. They also stay current with the latest technology, equipment, and professional education.
• Additional responsibilities include assessing needs for durable medical equipment, instructing Veterans and caregivers on rehabilitation and use of assistive devices, and maintaining detailed and timely documentation. The therapist may serve as a clinical instructor and participate in specialized care programs like SCI/D, polytrauma, and cardiac rehab. They must also demonstrate knowledge related to the unique needs of various Veteran populations, including those from different war eras and with specific conditions such as PTSD, SCI, and amputations. Productivity is expected to meet VA standards, with effective use of support personnel as appropriate.

Administrative Duties

The incumbent is responsible for maintaining equipment and the cleanliness of the workspace, ensuring safety, infection control, and efficiency. They organize work schedules, solve problems independently, assist in modifying treatment plans, and serve as a role model for other staff members. Key responsibilities include:

• Assessing and managing departmental equipment and supplies. Scheduling Veterans for treatment while coordinating with the team, maintaining flexibility for unscheduled cases. Following VHA scheduling processes and appropriately delegating tasks to support staff. Complying with documentation and coding policies, demonstrating computer skills for documentation purposes.
• Attending mandatory meetings, training sessions, and presenting educational programs as needed. Communicating with supervisors regarding equipment issues, supplies, program improvements, and problems with Veterans or peers. Participating in the clinical education of occupational therapy students.
• Traveling to other facilities within the system and providing weekend and holiday coverage on a rotating basis. Assisting in planning and coordinating specialty programs.
• Performing all other assigned related duties.

The GS-12 Occupational Therapist operates independently, reporting to the Physical/Occupational Therapy Supervisor. While the therapist may consult with other department managers, the supervisor holds primary responsibility for competency evaluation and performance reviews. Duties include managing assigned occupational therapy programs and clinics, with periodic updates to the supervisor about problem cases, workload, and progress. Performance reviews occur bi-annually through direct observation, peer review, and chart review. Competencies are evaluated annually via direct observation, chart review, peer review, testing, and continuing education review.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:Occupational Therapist/409A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• English Language 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 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
• 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
• Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.
• Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements in the education and/or experience paragraph if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in the state licensure paragraph.
• 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.

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).

Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date12/13/2019 of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation.

Grade Determinations: 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.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred based on Veterans' Preference.

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.

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

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.



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
• Other (1)
• 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.

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

Next steps