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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring an Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) Near Huntsville, AL

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 in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education. 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.
• 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.
• Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.

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-13

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) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years;
(b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA;
(c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or
(d) An additional advanced degree in a related field.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

(a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice.
(b) Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners.
(c) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. (e) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization.
(f) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization.

Preferred Experience: Must be board certified in hand therapy.

References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44pounds), Heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (2 hours), Standing (8 hours), Repeated bending (4 hours), Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Hearing (aid permitted), and Mental & Emotional Stability.

Responsibilities:

The Occupational Therapist, Clinical Specialist will provide care for inpatient acute medical/surgical, primary care, geriatric, and outpatient independently under the general supervision of the occupational therapy supervisor. This position will hold a certification in hand therapy (CHT) and will provide cross coverage of clinical and administrative function of occupational therapy as needed.

The typical duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Independently develops and implements occupational therapy (OT) treatment program; using own judgment, makes changes in treatment program as medical conditions change.
• Implementation of treatment plans that directly affect the patients' social, economic, and functional wellbeing in home and community settings.
• CHT is a member of the multidisciplinary team and participates with the physician, nurses, psychologist, social worker, and other disciplines in developing total treatment care plans. Acts as liaison between PM&RS, orthopedic and physician services in coordination and communication of the dysfunction/impairment rehab care plan and treatment for patients who have physical impairment with or without surgery. Serves as a mentor in area of hand therapy clinical specialty.
• Appropriate selection of modalities with adequate formal training, experience and/or certification, including but not limited to: functional electrical stimulation, wheelchairs, power mobility, neuro-prosthetic devices, TENS, lymphedema management, ultrasound, iontophoresis, and hot/cold modalities to reduce pain, edema, and spasticity. Appropriate selection of durable medical equipment, adaptive devices to maximize ADLs and all levels of transfer skills. Provides in-services in clinical training programs in area of specialty.
• Documentation is done in CPRS. Assessment/reassessment and progress notes should be timely and comprehensive in accordance with local policy, The Joint Commission and VISN/VHA standards.
• Reports to OT supervisor/rehab coordinator/MDS/RAI are entered in a timely manner and supported by CPRS documentation.
• Provides cross coverage of clinical/administrative functions for occupational therapy activities in acute inpatient, bedside and clinic therapy for inpatients and outpatients as per direction of supervisor.
• Utilizes functional test scoring for goal setting, reassessment, and incorporation into OT treatment/discharge plan as appropriate.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: FS54365
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary