Occupational Therapist

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees and all US Citizens NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• • • Establishes and maintains contact with the other health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the Cleveland VA Medical Center
• • • Assists in the development, planning and implementation of monitors of quality of care with respect to HBPC as part of the comprehensive health care services delivered to the patients within the Cleveland VA Medical Center.
    • Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the HBPC therapy supervisor geriatric patients and refer to other medical professionals as medically indicated.
    • Exercises highly skilled autonomous professional judgement to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge.
    • Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of physical education to patients, family members, caregivers, employees, students, and coworkers.
    • Communicates effectively with other internal and external health care providers.
    • Modifies the treatment plan when either the established goals or timeframes for achievement of those goals has been attained.
    • Appropriately records encounters.
    • Enters consults to Prosthetics department in accordance with HBPC service, national VA, and medical center policies.
    • Maintains professional licensure and completes all required annual continuing education for license renewal.
    • Educates other facility personnel in the scope of HBPC services and programs involving a variety of health care specialties.
    • Functions autonomously in carrying outpatient education, specialized treatments, and applying occupational therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and PTA documents
    • Assists in the establishment of clinical and practice guidelines impacting all
      patients participating in HBPC therapy programs

Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm Mondays-Fridays
Telework: Available
Functional Statement #: 93731A, 93732A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 identification 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

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.
• Licensure: current, full, active and unrestricted licenses to practice Occupational
  Therapy in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Occupational Therapists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Certification. Current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist.
• Education and or Experience:
• Applicants 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 American Occupational Therapy Association (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.
    • NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of] a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations. ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
• Valid State Driver's License

Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.

(1) OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program [who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements,] but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state [licensure], may be [appointed, pending certification and/or licensure,] as a graduate OT [on a full-time temporary appointment] not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).


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 stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade

GS-11: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled;

OR
Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field;

OR

Doctorate in occupational therapy.

In addition to the experience and education above, you 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.

GS-12 Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.

In addition to the experience and education above, you 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.

Preferred Experience: Two years of successful therapy practice in the field of home health care or four years of inpatient medical experience

Excellent interpersonal relationship skills
Ability to work on an interdisciplinary setting.
Ability to work independently and to make competent clinical decisions using critical thinking skills.
Sound documentation, patient assessment skills, and interdisciplinary care planning
Ability to be independent in the community.
Ability to prioritize responsibilities.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/127 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-11 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. This position frequently requires moderate to heavy lifting. Normally such lifting will involve but not limited to assisting with transfers or gait training of the client in the occupational therapy clinic or at the patient's bedside. This position will also involve sedentary work involving computers and communications. Incumbent physical demands of this position involve active listening, observing, evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior, walking, speaking, writing reports, writing policies and procedures along with writing clinical notes. OT in HUD VASH will also utilize office equipment such as computers, telephones, fax machines, photocopy machines and transport veterans in the GSA at times.

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:

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• 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 (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• OF-306
• CV/Resume
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• 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.

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

Next steps