Occupational Therapist

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2. All other VA employees. 3. Other federal employees. 4. All other applicants.

Major Duties include not are not limited to:

• Incumbent demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and executing treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives for mobility with the Veteran and active-duty population.
• Performs more complex and varied evaluations when evaluating and treating patients in Home Care areas that are beyond the general practice of Occupational Therapy
• Appropriately completes home accessibility and safety assessments. Makes recommendations to improve safety and accessibility, as needed. Involves the patient, family/significant other and medical team in treatment planning and goal setting through ongoing communication.
• Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex, and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge in the area of mobility and balance.
• Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill, or who have a combination of sever mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. Treatment will be provided in the home, on the ward, in the facility and in the community as appropriate for the patient's needs.
• Assesses for and request prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and can make modifications as necessary.
• Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of this complex patient population.
• Evaluates need for medical equipment. Ensures proper ordering procedures are used.
• Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the Occupational therapy treatment plan, while coordinating with the treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility.
• Maintains consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted O.T. practice, PMRS, facility and VA policies and procedures.
• For each patient assigned, maintains consistent and timely documentation of encounters in patient's medical record.
• Participates in regular team meetings, verbal and written communication and consultation amongst team members to guide and evaluate the work of the multi-disciplinary program.
• Communicates by educating and involving patient, family, significant others, and pertinent health care staff in the patient's treatment plans, disease process, and goals.
• Provides basic emergency intervention to the patient to prevent further injury or infection using established VA procedures.
• Practices appropriate infection control procedures, personal safety, patient safety, patient privacy and treatment precautions pertinent to patient's condition or disease process, and the location of patient encounter.
• Requests and maintains supplies in the vehicle/OT area for ongoing patient treatment.
• Actively participates in his/her own professional development maintaining an appropriate level of education as required by Missouri Division of Professional Licensure for Occupational Therapy and the AOTA. Develops and provides individualized clinical training experience for occupational therapy students.
• Completes annual mandatory reviews and other education as directed by National Headquarters, VISN, Medical Center, Service Line, and Department.
• Attends PM&R section in-services as well as hospital-wide in-services. Attends and completes mandatory in-service training as required by VA, PM&R, and OT policies Provides necessary guidance, direction, and supervision to occupational therapy students, volunteers, and/or CWT workers assigned to the PM&R clinic.
• Compiles and submits statistical data, reports and quality assurance findings to document program effectiveness, caseload, and attendance.
• Assists in the maintenance of the clinic and exhibits good safety practices following proper safety policies and procedures per VA, Joint Commission, CARF, OSHA, etc. for infection control, equipment etc.
• Participates in quality assurance projects and/or Quality Assurance projects and completes reports as required on patient treatment.
• Participates in quarterly Occupational Therapy peer review process.
• Participates in or coordinates program development for special programs within the Occupational Therapy department.
• Corresponds with patients and families in person, over the phone, through telehealth and/or through MyHealthyVet in a professional, timely, and courteous manner.
• Participates in Performance Improvement activities and peer review as requested.
• Maintains adequate supplies, materials, and equipment for anticipated treatment needs, in line with budget.

Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm. Weekends and holiday rotations
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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.
• 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 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 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. Degree programs may be verified by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220.
• Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist.
• 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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Occupational Therapist, GS-9
(1) Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

Occupational Therapist, GS-11
(1) 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.
(e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
(f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
(g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.

Occupational Therapist, GS-12
(1) 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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/.

Preferred Experience: Occupational Therapy role within an inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient clinic setting. Experience working inpatient and outpatient, with preferred minimum 1 year inpatient rehabilitation setting experience AND 1 year outpatient clinic setting experience. Seeking strong Occupational Therapy background in functional assessment, evidence-based intervention, and interdisciplinary collaboration, which emphasizes patient-centered care, promotes functional independence, and supports continued professional growth in a dynamic clinical environment
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: The employee is required to meet the following physical requirements: moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours per day); standing (up to 8 hours per day); repeated bending (up to 4 hours); near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable to 20/40 in one eye; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted).

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.

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

• License
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Transcript

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 (VA)
• License
• Full resume/CV - May Exceed Two Pages
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• 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.

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