Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction. The OTA administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by a Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR) but must be able to carry out a general treatment plan with routine and infrequent supervision from an occupational therapist.

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:
• (1) 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).
• (2) 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.
• Loss of Credential: Management officials, in collaboration with Human Resource (HR) Office staff must remove employees in this occupation who fail to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, which may result in termination of employment.

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

Occupational Therapy Assistant GS-06
Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy practice.
(b) Knowledge of basic group techniques and interpersonal communication
(c) Skill in written communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education.
(d) Skill in oral communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. (e) Ability to assist in the development of treatment goals/objectives. (f) 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.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Skill in promoting occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas
(b) Ability to perform in depth chart review to identify treatment goals and implement treatment plans.
(c) Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients.
(d) 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 Therapy Assistant 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: Seeking an OTA for an acute care hospital setting. Preferred minimum of 2 years experience. This OTA will also be cross-trained to provide coverage in the sub-acute rehab setting as needed for holidays and staff absences.

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

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to walk, to get to other hospital locations on a daily basis. Activities including prolonged standing, repeated bending, reaching overhead, and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours during a regular shift, prolonged sitting, and moderate lifting and carrying of 15-44 pounds.

Responsibilities:

Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to:

Clinical: Knowledge of a variety of standardized assessment tools in order to provide a more comprehensive intervention under the supervision of an occupational therapist.

• Independently administers standardized assessments including assessments for cognition after completing training and deemed competent by OTR.
• Able to communicate findings of assessments to the OTR for treatment planning.

Ability to use problem solving skills when providing more complex therapeutic techniques and interventions for patients who have a wide range of diagnoses or disabilities.

• Demonstrates ability to modify approach when working with a veteran to make the activity match the veteran's needs.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify individual treatment program change needs and communicate this to the OTR.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify those in a group who need modification of an activity and to assist them to grade the activity to maximize patient's functional status.
• Demonstrates ability to identify and recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.
• Demonstrates the ability to progress a veteran-centered plan of care towards discharge goals and communicates discharge recommendations with OTR.

Ability to provide complex/multistep instructions to patients, caregivers, and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individuals.

• Independently offers information and instructions to veterans with varied levels of cognition.
• Provides multistep directions to allow veterans to participate in therapeutic groups and interventions with consideration of their level of cognition.
• Provides information regarding ways to structure activities for veterans to family members, other health care professions and program staff.

Ability to promote occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas.

• Independently describes the role and purpose of occupational therapy as part of a Veteran's overall rehabilitation program to other program staff, to veterans and to other identified stakeholders.
• Demonstrates the ability to provide training and interventions independently within all patient care areas associated with PM&RS.
• Within the program works with minimum guidance from the OTR.
• Is able to identify situations in which OT services may be warranted and advocate within the program for an OT evaluation.
• Independently offers information to the program for treatment planning, is an active participant in team treatment of the veteran.

Education

• Knowledge and skill are routinely updated through continuing education. New learning is shared with peers.
• Successful completion of an associate 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).
• Maintains credentials including State License and/or certification as required by VA.

Administrative

• Incumbent completes documentation in a manner consistent with the facilities requirements, including timeliness and completeness.
• Maintains records and statistical data as requested for the purpose of workload and/or efficiency reports. Reports are accurate and timely.
• Periodically participates in quality assurance utilization reviews regarding patient treatment and departmental issues.
• Aware of and adheres to the facility's rules, policies and procedures and the American Occupational Therapy Association Standards of Practice and Standards of Ethics to insure quality patient care.
• Ensures proper level of supplies and equipment by sharing in the inventory and ordering process. Shares responsibility for safety and maintenance.
• Participates in the performance appraisal process by establishing goals, reviewing progress with supervisor and preparing self-review. Masters at least 2 new competencies per year.
• Is aware of safety concerns, regulations, policies and procedures, and employs appropriate safety practices. Has knowledge of and adheres to Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Salary : $48,719