Duties
Duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Performs as an independent practitioner within the Boise VA Medical Center to provide advanced Occupational Therapy evaluation and treatment for specialty mobility devices including but not limited to manual and power wheelchairs, offloading devices and specialty lifts as medically necessary for veterans.
- Performs examinations and evaluations of individuals functional abilities by administering a variety of contemporary standardized and non-standardized tests to determine Occupational Therapy needs. Primary evaluation instruments and/or procedures include, but are not limited to cognitive assessments, strength and motion measurements, activities of daily living evaluations, observation, interview and review of medical histories. Acts as subject matter expert related to Wheelchair/Specialty Mobility including using above information for appropriate device prescription.
- Provides care coordination across service lines at the Boise VA including triaging consults/referrals related to Wheelchair/Specialty Mobility devices to ensure the timely management of veterans needs based on medical acuity/complexity.
- Collaborates with PM&R team members, PSAS and other facility partners as well as community care healthcare providers/vendors to optimize care and resource utilization related to mobility equipment.
- Serves as a consultant/mentor for health care providers regarding the delivery of Wheelchair/Specialty Mobility including departmental and facility level education.
- Acts as the point of contact to disseminate information from National VA, VISN and other applicable agency directives, initiatives and education.
- Provides recommendations for device prescription/use and appropriate rehabilitation needs including instruction and education in therapeutic interventions to optimize patient function.
- Collaborates with PM&R leadership to develop programming, optimize administrative processes and/or obtain equipment/resources related to Wheelchair/Specialty Mobility program.
- Modifies evaluation tools as necessary based on specific patient characteristics.
- Interprets evaluation findings to develop an effective and individualized care plan that is appropriate and indicated for the impairments being treated.
- Collaborates with the patient, caregiver, family members, and interdisciplinary professionals to develop the care plan, including short- and long-term goals.
- Develops functional goals that are objective, measurable, and achievable within realistic time frames.
- Recognizes contraindications, precautions, and appropriateness of treatment prescribed by referring provider.
- Identifies the need for and ensures collaboration among other healthcare professionals across the continuum of care.
- Effectively collaborates with patients, family members, caregivers, and other professionals utilizing verbal, nonverbal, and written communication.
- Develops and carries out a full range of Occupational Therapy treatments using a wide variety of evidence-based treatment techniques and modalities. These treatments may include but are not limited to strengthening and range of motion exercises; selfcare training; application of adaptive equipment and splints; patient and family education regarding disability; cognitive re-training and wheelchair mobility.
- Procures, fabricates, adjusts, adapts, and modifies orthoses, splints, adaptive equipment, and home safety equipment in accordance with the treatment plan. Trains the patient and/or caregiver in use and care of the device. Observes the patient as he uses the device to ensure proper use.
- Monitors response to interventions and uses advanced professional judgement to modify treatment plans based on changing medical conditions or as necessitated by patient complexity.
- Utilizes population-specific (including age, gender, and period of military service) competencies to deliver individualized care.
- Conducts assessments and patient care by considering how individual patient characteristics affect the patient's ability to understand instructions, provide effective self-assessment, and participate safely and effectively in the treatment program.
- Thoroughly documents patient status and progress, therapy plan and patient response to treatment using both verbal and written means of communication. Documents in the medical record the initial evaluation, treatment plan, progress notes, and discharge notes in a manner that meets professional, facility, and Joint Commission standards.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 60838-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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.
- You may be required to serve a trial period.
- 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).
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
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:
- (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.
- 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.
- English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
GS-13 Occupational Therapist (Program Coordinator) Grade Determinations:
- 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.
- Demonstrated KSAs: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
- (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training, or education for internal and external stakeholders.
- (b) Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, and balance responsibilities.
- (c) Ability to articulate and communicate the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, and objectives; as well as provide direction on work methods, practices and procedures in administration and/or education methodologies.
- (d) Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work, evaluate the program to ensure that methods, deadlines and quality have been met, and ensure adjustments to the work process are in accordance with priorities.
- (e) Ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs within a concentrated field or specialty area, such as amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, student clinical education/residency programming, polytrauma/traumatic or brain injury.
- (f) Ability to effectively motivate and manage a clinical staff with widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, sitting, and changing from one position to another frequently throughout the day. Requires good manual dexterity to manipulate patients and equipment. According to the US Department of Labor, the strength requirement of an occupational therapist is medium. Medium is defined as exerting (to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects) 20 to 50 pounds of force frequently (2/3 of the time), and /or up to 10 pounds of force constantly. Must have the ability to bend, lift, and assist with transfers. Must have adequate physical strength to assist with resistive activities.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- License
- NBCOT certification as an OT
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
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
- License
- NBCOT certification as an OT
- Resume
- 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.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/19/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12800733.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.