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 Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens.

Major Duties:

• Clinical: The incumbent is assigned to the PM&R service.
• 1. Upon referral from a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner, evaluates patients of varying complexity to determine functional status, identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment. Referrals may be self-referred by the patient as part of a "Direct Access" program.
  2. Demonstrates the ability to conduct independent patient assessments using routine and highly specialized evaluations and diagnostic tests that are applicable to the Wheeled Mobility population.
  3. Screens and evaluates patients for appropriate referral and treatment based on ALM policies and standards, guidelines from VHA. Routinely monitors chart and queries patients regarding any changes in medical status that would impact patient's participation.
  4. Follows appropriate safety measures in completing assessments, treatment, training, and equipment/device trialing.
  5. Documents prescription of adaptive equipment to maximize function and safety.
  6. Maintains work area, equipment, and supplies in accordance with safety regulations and policies.
  7. Practices appropriate safety procedures and precautions for both patient and self when utilizing devices and equipment related to Wheeled Mobility services.
  8. Demonstrates knowledge in evaluating and treating patients who have experienced limb loss, traumatic brain injuries, neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction and neurological injuries.
  9. Incumbent is responsible for comprehensive evaluations of patients for DME and orthotics. Once the evaluation is complete, the incumbent is responsible for coordinating equipment needs with the physician and Prosthetics Service. Additionally, the incumbent will train the patient on the appropriate DME required for safety and functional mobility.
  10. Demonstrates an effective working knowledge of occupational therapy interventions and treatment modalities used for veterans who have suffered musculoskeletal injuries, amputations, neurological injuries, multiple traumas or other debilitation.
  11. Utilizes 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. Has the ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrates the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques. Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment available for occupational therapy treatments.
  12. Demonstrates knowledge of learning principles, behavioral interventions and innovational techniques for patient and caregiver education. Demonstrates skills in teaching body mechanics to patients and caregivers to minimize risk of injury.
  13. Communicates and works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care. Demonstrates the ability to serve as a consultant for health care providers regarding the delivery of occupational therapy services to patients with a need for Wheeled Mobility services.
  14. Maintains the Functional Independence Measure Scale (FIM) certification, as directed by supervisor and assigned treatment area.
  15. As assigned, completes the FIM and/or other measurement scales as requested at admission and discharge. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate treatment outcomes of occupational therapy interventions.
  16. Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Administration

1. Follows procedures consistent with STVHCS policies. Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations.
2. Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals.
3. Maintains adequate level of supplies.
4. Maintains equipment in safe and operable conditions through inspection and requests submission of work orders, as necessary.
5. Other duties as assigned.

• Education

1. Supervises and trains therapy students, other healthcare students and volunteers.
2. Demonstrates the ability to teach and mentor staff in specialty area, exercise science and transfer/gait training. Provides in-services and training for occupational therapy staff and other professionals, as necessary. Orients new staff members to the role of occupational therapy.
3. Participates in accredited educational programs related to wheeled mobility to maintain credentials as a Certified Wheeled Mobility Specialist

Work Schedule: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Telework: Ad-Hoc only.
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 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.
• 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. 5+ years of OT/PT experience, independently managing a caseload
2. 1+ years experience in a seating and mobility clinic
3. RESNA Credentialing as Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) or NRRTS equivalent
4. 1+ year experience of coordination of patient care with a Complex Rehabilitation Technology supplier such as National Seating & Mobility,
   NuMotion, Reliable Medical, etc
5. Advanced certified with RESNA as a Seating & Mobility Specialist (SMS)

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-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, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pound.

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

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
• Hybrid Resume
• PCS Orders
• 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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