Occupational Therapy Assistant

The North Florida/South Georgia VA Healthcare System's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking an experienced and dynamic Occupational Therapist Assistant. Ideal applicants are those who want to contribute to the achievement of quality care standards, as well as the growth and development of a VA academic hospital program. You must be an excellent communicator and team player who is adaptable to the needs of a growing medical center.

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.
• Education. Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below:

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.

• English Language Proficiency. OTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English [in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-05 - Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. None


Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-06 - Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. GS-05.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy practice.
• Knowledge of basic group techniques and interpersonal communication
• Skill in written communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education.
• Skill in oral communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education.
• Ability to assist in the development of treatment goals/objectives.
• Ability to implement a patient care plan incorporating activity analysis theory.

Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-07 - Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-06.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Skill in promoting occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas
• Ability to perform in depth chart review to identify treatment goals and implement treatment plans.
• Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients.
• Ability to provide multi-step instructions to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual.

Occupational Therapist GS-08 - Experience. One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-07.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to implement delegated assessments.
• Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance.
• Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status.
• 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: Outpatient and Inpatient (Acute Care, Long-Term Care, and Mental Health) experience.


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


The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts, and binders. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling: 1 - 10 pounds constantly, 10- 25 frequently, and 20 - 50 pounds occasionally. Picking up, carrying, and placing folders, charts, books, and binders. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 50 pounds. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, and supply carts. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers, which may be up to 50 pounds. Performing passive range of motion exercises that require the movement of patients' extremities in all planes of motion.

Responsibilities:

Duties include but not limited to:

• Provides client centered care and support services to a population of Veterans, young adult to geriatric.
• Contributes to the screening, evaluation, and re-evaluation process by administrating delegated assessments, and reporting observations and client performance to OT.
• Plans, coordinates and administers occupational therapy treatment for prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation
• Recommends, adjusts and/or modifies assistive devices
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to make recommendations for the client's rehabilitation, reintegration and disposition needs.
• Receives and interprets instruction from the Occupational Therapist.
• Schedules and coordinates treatment with other VA services.
• Provides education and consultation to health care practitioners about the client's treatment plan.
• Participates in the OT department and the PM&R service program and development and quality improvement projects.
• Follows policy and procedures.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm(Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 51327F, 51325F, 51324F, 51323F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $40,736