Occupational Therapist

The employee serves as a Licensed Occupational Therapist under Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. Employee provides professional, independent occupational therapy services in the assigned area. The Bay Pines Medical Center is a general medical and surgical facility, classified as a Level 1A complexity. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of inpatient and outpatient services. Approved for relocation/retention incentives.

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: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• English Language Proficiency. Occupational Therapists must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
  • 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-
  • 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-
  • Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy

PLEASE NOTE: 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.

• Certification-Documentation Supplied. Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an OT.
• State Licensure-Documentation Supplied.. 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.

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 REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the Basic Requirements provided in paragraph 4 of the Veterans Health Administration - Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard - GS-0631 (formerly VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14), the following are the grade requirements.

Grade Determinations for Occupational Therapist GS-12:

• GS-12 Experience, Education, AND Licensure: In addition to the Basic Requirements, an Occupational Therapist at the full performance GS-12 level MUST be certified, licensed, AND possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level directly related to the position being filled.

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • 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.
  • Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders.
  • 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.
  • Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).
  • Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training.

• Assignment. See the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information.

Preferred Experience: Lymphedema, Upper Extremity Ortho, Wheelchairs, Acute Inpatient

References: Veterans Health Administration - Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard - GS-0631 (formerly VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14) - December 13, 2019.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds or over); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pushing (.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (.5 hours); standing (.5 hours); crawling (.5 hours); kneeling (.5 hours); repeated bending (1 hour); climbing, legs only (.5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement (corrective lenses okay); both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability

Responsibilities:

Duties include but are not limited to the following:
a. The incumbent uses evidence based practices to review incoming referrals for appropriateness and independently evaluates patient's problems to determine their occupational therapy needs through the use of standard tests and measurements adapting and modifying treatment plans to meet the needs of patients.
b. Incumbent demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application.
c. Incumbent plans a treatment program with measurable goals, based on evaluative findings and within the boundaries of the individual prescription. Incumbent modifies the program according to changing patient needs and terminates treatment program when all goals have been met.
d. Independently administers standard occupational therapy treatment in the specific area to which he/she is assigned but may be rotated to other clinic areas depending on staffing/patient needs.
e. The incumbent provides accurate written and/or verbal documentation of patient status and progress, treatment program plans and patient response to treatment.
f. Incumbent independently schedules patient visits throughout the day allowing for adequate individual treatment time as well as necessary time for conferences and any administrative tasks.
g. Incumbent consults with patients and their families/caregivers through patient family education, training, advising them in the nature of their medical condition and by providing home programs.
h. The incumbent evaluates for adaptive and orthotic devices, to include wheelchairs, available by special order and/or through Prosthetics Service to meet the individual patient's needs. The incumbent demonstrates ability to procure, fabricate, adjust, and adapt equipment for activities of daily living.
i. Incumbent performs cognitive assessments and treatments specific to identified patient population or impairment group.
j. The incumbent assumes responsibility for the independent operations of the clinic. Incumbent secures work area and equipment to provide a clean and safe therapeutic environment.
k. Incumbent supports and is involved in teamwork and/or team building both within the incumbent's service and other services. Incumbent demonstrates ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders.
l. Incumbent represents Occupational Therapy/PM&RS at interdisciplinary team meetings and provides in-service training to hospital staff as needed. Incumbent exhibits a thorough understanding of the rehabilitation field with all its constituents to combine the difference-related disciplines into an effective team and deliver rehabilitation in its holistic approach.
m. The incumbent monitors inventory, equipment and supply needs for treatment and informs supervisor of needs.
n. Compiles and submits statistical data required documenting patient attendance, therapist workload and Quality Assurance monitors. The supervisor is generally apprised of work performed through quality management reports, audits, and meetings.
o. Incumbent maintains and carries out all hospital and service policies and philosophies.
p. The incumbent demonstrates interest in professional growth by attendingcommunity or VHA sponsored workshops/seminars on occupational therapy related subjects.
q. Incumbent is able to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to independently solve complex problems related to the plan of care to meet the needs of patients.
r. The incumbent demonstrates ability to conduct OT related in-services and clinical training.
s. Incumbent performs other duties as assigned.


Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday 8:00 AM to 4:30PM / or Sunday to Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:30PM
Telework: AD-HOC
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:21910F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

Salary : $89,508