Summary
This position is located at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC) in Aurora, Colorado and functions within PM&RS, VA ECHCS. This position provides supervisory support to the PM&RS Outpatient Operations for Occupational Therapy (OT), including but not limited outpatient Occupational Therapy, Home Based Primary Care, Caregiver Support Program, Homeless Program, and additional providers within PMRS, as assigned. This position serves as a subject matter expert in Occupational Therapy.
Duties
OT Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the OT sections located within the Outpatient Physical Therapy section at RMR, and specialty programs throughout ECHCS.
- Responsible for various outpatient-based rehabilitation programs to include, but are not limited to, Neuro, TBI, amputee, pain, home safety, hands, ADL assessments, as well as CSP, HBPC, and HudVASH.
- Directly supervises more than 10 employees that may include Occupational Therapists, and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, as well as potentially Physical Therapists on specialty teams.
- Demonstrates a great deal of autonomy in performing supervisory responsibilities to include, but are not limited to, assigning work to employees, monitoring workload and clinical volume, reviewing work of employees to assure accuracy and validity of submissions, imposing disciplinary measures, and monitoring clinical privileges.
- Provide supervision of key clinical and educational training programs, including the overall technical oversight of the OTs/COTAs within ECHCS.
- Perform human resources administration including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within the scope of responsibilities.
- Responsible for the development, approval, and implementation of policies and procedures to address focused clinical needs and the overall services delivered and provided within the section.
- Responsible for the coordination and development of rehabilitative services throughout the Eastern Colorado catchment area. Coordinates Occupational Therapy services in southern Colorado in collaboration with local supervisors.
- Provides direct patient care
Clinical
- Supervise and assign work to OTs, Assistants, aides, trainees, and volunteers in the delivery and/or support of treatment and education of patients and families.
- Ensure consults are triaged within appropriate timeframes for appropriateness and completeness prior to scheduling.
- Coordinates with Health Administration Service to ensure scheduling for all consults for new patients.
- Coordinates with other sections and other services in the area of OT treatment, treatment scheduling, and delivery of care.
- Serves as a consultant to OT staff and other personnel in evaluating and planning OT treatment.
- Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of outpatient OT services, and specialty programs within ECHCS.
- Performs all other duties/activities of a staff OT including evaluation and treatment of patients.
- Delegates tasks to staff therapists and support staff appropriately.
Education
- Identifies continuing education needs based on performance of staff.
- Assists with education of student trainees from multiple schools, and OT Fieldwork programs.
- Develops and plans educational programs to include patient, family, and professional personnel.
- Educates other facility personnel in the scope of services and programs involving a variety of healthcare specialties.
- Coordinates research studies and serves as consultant to staff in research initiatives.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Telework: Per agency policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 554-55381-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 probationary 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.
- 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).
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.
- English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A.
- Education and/or Experience.
1) 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. (d) 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.
- License: 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.
- Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.
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.
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 Determination
- Education, Experience, and Licensure: In addition to the basic requirements, applicant will need the completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.
- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
- Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality performance, and productivity within the service.
- Skill in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers to include conflict resolution.
- Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools.
References: VA Handbook 5005/120, Part II, Appendix G14, Occupational Therapist Qualification Standards.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.
Preferred Experience: Leadership experience preferred. Outpatient Occupational Therapy or community based Occupational Therapy experience preferred.
Physical Requirements:
There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 50 pounds and supporting patients. Additionally, prolonged periods of sitting may be required.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Examples of SF-50s to include Within Grade Increase(s), Promotion(s), and/or Appointment action(s). AWARD SF50'S ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WILL BE DISQUALIFED
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
- Other (1)
- Professional Certification
- 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.
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 05/15/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12729242.
- 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.