Occupational Therapist (Clinic Specialist) Pain - Education Debt Reduction Program Approved

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to current permanent employees of the West Texas VA Health Care System only.

The incumbent is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating all clinical and administrative aspects of a multifaceted Occupational Therapy program within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS)/Audiology Service of the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS). The incumbent will practice Occupational Therapy (OT) in the Occupational Therapy Department, WTVAHCS in Big Spring, TX. The incumbent may participate in temporary assignments throughout WTVAHCS as directed by the Therapy Supervisor, Chief, PM&RS/Audiology Service, or designee. The incumbent serves as the subject-matter expert for pain management rehabilitation and, in addition, evaluates patients, plans, establishes, and provides a full range of comprehensive treatment procedures designed to improve or restore function through the use of physical modalities, therapeutic exercise, prostheses or assistive devices. The incumbent is required to provide Occupational Therapy coverage at any location within the West Texas VA Health Care System (as needed).

General Skills: The incumbent must be licensed for assignment at this grade level and are considered to be above the full performance level. The position consists of both clinical and administrative responsibilities with approximately 70% of time being spent in direct clinical care and the remaining 30% of the time being spent in administrative activities; however, this is subject to the needs of the facility and can be modified at the direction of the Therapy Supervisor, Chief, PM&RS/Audiology Service, or designee.

Clinical Skills: Clinical OT specialists at this grade level serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. This individual must demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Clinical OT specialist may initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research.

Additional Duties: The incumbent Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff, if appropriate. Maintains procedures consistent with WTVAHCS policies. Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations including TJC (The Joint Commission) and Ascellon (Long Term Care). Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals. Maintains adequate level of supplies and equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders, as necessary.

Education: The incumbent clinically Supervises and trains Occupational Therapy students and volunteers. The incumbent demonstrates the ability to teach and mentor staff in Occupational Therapy services. Provides in-services and training for Occupational Therapy staff and other professionals, as necessary. The incumbent maintains professional state license and competency through continuing education as required by Licensing state jurisdiction.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
EDRP Authorized: Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Ad-Hoc Telework Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) PACT
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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 identification 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 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.
• Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  • Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph 3b(2) if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph 3e of this appendix.
• 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.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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: Occupational Therapist [(Clinical Specialist)], GS-13

1. Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled and one of the following:
   • A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years;
   • Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA;
   • Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or
   • An additional advanced degree in a related field.
2. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
   • Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice.
   • Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners.
   • Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization.
   • Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice.
   • Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization.
   • Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization.

Preferred Experience:

1. Experience evaluating and recommending adaptive equipment
2. Experience working with the Adult Chronic Pain population
3. 4 years clinical Occupational Therapy experience

Assignment. Clinical OT specialists at this grade level serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. This individual must demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Clinical OT specialist may initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research.

FOR REFERENCE Occupational Therapist assignments at the GS-12 grade level: OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. OTs demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services. OTs at this level may be given assignments in any area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time).

Reference can be found at the VA Qualification Repository, VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) GS-0631, Occupational Therapist VA Qualification Standard dated December 13, 2019.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing/bending/pushing/pulling, in conjunctions with the normal functions of a Physical Therapist. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

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 WILL 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

***Special Note for Clinical Applications***: Many clinical positions use Curriculum Vitae (CVs) that are longer than two pages. The VA will accept and consider information contained in a full CV.

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

Resume is a required document. Clinicians should complete the application by using 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 as a placeholder.


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
• Other (1)
• Other: Resume/CV
• 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.

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