Clarification from the agency

The first area of consideration will be given to current permanent employees of the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center. The second area of consideration will be given to current permanent VA employees. All other applicants will be considered thereafter. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Major Duties to include but not limited to:
Clinical

• Identify and recommend technological devices and adaptive equipment that can eliminate barriers or compensate for deficits that may prevent a veteran's successful completion of their treatment plan and the development of appropriate life skills and maintenance of quality of life.
• Provides assessment to evaluate the veteran's ability to live independently and meet basic needs in independent housing.
• Patient-Family Counseling And Education - Supervises the organization and implementation of an Occupational Therapy group for the purpose of improving skills related to independent living; Skills to Assess / Address / and Develop: a. Personal Self-Care: Causation, Cleanliness, Time Management, Confusion, Frustration, and Disorganization. b. Task Function: Plan Personal Space, Organization of Living Environment, Follow Instruction to Completion and Attention to Detail and Neatness c. Communication: Initiation of Contact, Response to Others, Conflict Resolution, Stress Reduction and Frustration Tolerance d. Community (self/ work/ play): Cultural and Spiritual Environment, Activities of Interest, Utilization of Social Supports and Understand Physical and Emotional Needs.
• Provide education to patients concerning the available resources in their home community, provides testing and assessments utilizing microcomputer or data communications equipment. Educates family members in regard to the nature of the program and how they may actively participate in supporting their family member.
• Relationships Interdisciplinary/Team Responsibilities: As a member of the inter-disciplinary HCHV TreatmentTeam, consultant to various interdisciplinary treatment teams within the Mental Health Service Line.a. Communicates veterans' occupational therapy assessment/ and evaluation results, as well as, treatment plans, goals and progress to interdisciplinary treatment team members individually and during clinical case conference.b. Consults and establishes in-service programs for other VAAAHS disciplines and works cooperatively with them to provide comprehensive veteran care.c. The Occupational Therapist is as a member of the HCHV Team and will be asked to provide or participate inpresentations to community groups and agencies that promote awareness of homelessness amongst veterans.
• Records And Reports Documentation: Documents and records data in CPRS and HOMES; pertaining to demographics, psycho social history, treatment plans, individual and group treatment sessions, and interactions, initial notes, assessment findings, treatment plans, progress notes, incident reports, encounter forms, telephonic interactions, follow-up contacts.a. All documentation will be entered into the veteran record within 3 calendar days of service. All documentation will be entered in the Homeless Operations Management Evaluation within 24 hours of the date of service.
• Provide oversight to Occupational Therapy Assistants and delegate patient care responsibilities to them. May also delegate non-patient care duties to a non-licensed staff.

Educational Responsibilities/Professional Development

• Attends training and educational activities to support the clinical competencies and role as member of the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program and Mental Health Service Line.
• Maintain licensing as an Occupational Therapist through continuing education and advanced learning requirements as ordered by the licensing body.
• Student Training Program - Responsibility to the profession of Occupational Therapy and this health system and the Mental Health Service Line- Homeless Programs to serve as a clinical instructor for Occupational Therapy students and provide instruction and supervision to occupational therapy, psychology, and other students.
• The Occupational Therapist serves as a resource to the community in matters relating to occupational therapy, the delivery of health care, and the needs of the veteran population.

Administrative

• Incumbent prepares productivity and service reports as required by the Service/Section.
• Maintains records of all services provided using CPT codes/event capture and current methodology to prepare reports as require by the Service.
• Submits requests of supplies and equipment following service policies and procedures.
• Reports noted deficiencies in service delivery, safety and security. Contributes with ideas to improve operations.
• Participates in information and outcomes management activities such as, but not limited to: surveys, performance improvement and strategic plan development.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am- 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available; Ad-hoc may be authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 93953A
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.
• 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:

1. Individuals 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.
2. 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.
• Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing,] must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

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: GS-12 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

(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.

(2) Demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities (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: 3-5 years of HUD-VASH experience.

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: Heavy lifting and carrying (45+ lbs); Moderate carrying (15-44 lbs.); straight pulling (<1 hour); pushing (_<1 hour); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (2 hours); standing (3 hours); kneeling (<1 hour).

This position will involve operating a motor vehicle (with a valid driver's license), intermittent walking, intermittent stair climbing, and light carrying under 15 pounds while working at the Medical Center, and out in the community. The ability to hear and communicate verbally with Veterans is essential. Work will take place indoors and outdoors. The work involves working closely with others.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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. All other qualified applicants.

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
• RESUME: The 2-page requirement does not apply to this occupational series. You may upload your full resume here.
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee. To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (dated within the last year), Standard Form 50 (SF-50). You may obtain a copy of your SF-50 from your eOPF. Failure to provide this will exclude you from your claimed eligibility.
• An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade. Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old

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
• RESUME: The 2-page requirement does not apply to this occupational series. You may upload your full resume here.
• 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.

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