Occupational Therapy Assistant

This announcement is for the Occupational Therapy Assistant in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&R) in the VA Central California Health Care System in Fresno, CA. The Occupational Therapy Assistant assists in the remediation and rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments.

NOTE: This announcement has been extended to close on 4/06/2026.

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.
• Associate's [or higher] degree in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). OR
• Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE
• Certification. OTAs must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• Licensure. OTAs must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a 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 Determinations: GS-08
Experience: One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to implement delegated assessments.
(b) Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance.
(c) Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status.
(d) Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities.
(e) Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.
(f) Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services.

Preferred Experience in short term rehab, skilled nursing setting and acute care setting.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Responsibilities:

Clinical

• Assists with the screening, evaluation and re-evaluation process by implementing specifically delegated assessments for which competency has been established and by providing verbal or written reports of observations and client capacities to the OT.
• Receives and interprets instructions from the OT. This includes completing a thorough review of the OT evaluation, treatment plan and patient data and coordinating to ensure that any necessary clarification is obtained.
• Utilizes more complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills, to maximize client's functional status.
• Modifies and adapts therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities.
• Identifies and recommends complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.
• Contributes to the discontinuation or transition plan by providing information and documentation to the supervising occupational therapist related to the client's needs, goals, performance and appropriate follow up resources.
• Schedules and coordinates treatment with other VA services.
• Carries out client education, specialized treatments, and applies occupational therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and AOTA documents.
• Knowledgeable about the client's targeted therapy outcomes and provides information and communication to the supervising OT when clients have attained established goals and/or when modifications to the treatment plan may be required.
• Documents OT services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by the PM&RS department and VACCHCS.
• Communicates needs or concerns to the supervising OT, to the interdisciplinary discharge planning team or through direct communication with personnel from other VA services.
• Provides education and consultation to health care practitioners about the client's treatment plan and occupational therapy scope of practice and services.
• Provides education to clients, caregiver, family regarding treatment interventions, e.g., adaptive equipment, approaches, environmental set-up, etc.

Administrative

• Participates in OT department and PM&R service program development and quality improvement projects to include but not limited to peer reviews, committee membership and process improvement projects.
• Carries out ongoing personal development to ensure current knowledge in their work position and occupational therapy practice. Maintains and displays current knowledge by attending seminars, courses and actively reviewing professional journals.
• Assists with education of the medical center staff about the role of OT and services available for veterans.
• Participates in the clinical education of Fieldwork Level I OT students or Fieldwork Level I or II OTA students including completion of fieldwork evaluation forms.
• Completes all VAMC mandatory training in a timely manner.
• Uses the computer system for storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, transmitting and receiving e-mail, activating printers, requesting leave, and accessing the electronic health record.
• Maintains clinical areas, equipment and supplies in a clean and organized manner to promote quality treatment in a safe and functionally appropriate environment.
• Serves management's goal of optimum productivity and adjusts services to meet changing needs of the veterans served in various programs.
• Helps resolve client issues/complaints at the lowest level and refers unresolved grievances and complaints to appropriate sources.
• Follows policies and procedures (operational, privacy, IT security, etc.). Promotes and ensures a safe work environment. Follows established time, attendance, and leave procedures.
• Assists OT supervisor to ensure all employees work in a safe, clean, infection-free environment and promotes these practices among all employees.
• Fosters an environment that values and respects individual differences. Takes an active role in prevention of harassment behavior and adheres to policies.
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred experience in short term rehab, skilled nursing setting and acute care setting.
Work Schedule: M-F 8am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 09584F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $56,164