Summary Will serve as a staff Occupational Therapist for the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the West Palm Beach Healthcare System. This position requires a fully licensed and registered Occupational Therapist that works independently requiring minimal guidance from the Supervisory Rehab Therapist Supervisor. Responsibilities Principal Duties and Responsibilities-but not limited to: Conducts independent and specialized evaluation of the patient by using a variety of standardized and non-standardized tests to determine occupational therapy needs. Primary evaluation procedures/methods include but are not limited to: review of medical record, subjective interview with patient and/or family/caregiver and/or MD and/or RN, observation, vital sign monitoring, and functional evaluation of: strength/range of motion/coordination/sensation, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, cognition, mental status, motor function/control, functional mobility, and safety. Based on results of evaluation, develops an effective and client centered treatment plan that is appropriate and indicated for the disabilities and conditions being treated. In collaboration with patient and family/caregivers, incumbent establishes short and long-term goals that are objective, measurable, and within certain time frames. Incumbent implements the treatment program, modifying program as needed to achieve goals. The therapist develops and carries out a full range of occupational therapy treatments using a variety of evidence-based treatment methods and techniques. The methods used to meet client-centered, rehabilitation goals include, but are not limited to: activities of daily living training, strength training, endurance training, cognitive retraining, range of motion exercises, prescription of adaptive equipment and/or durable medical equipment, balance training, physical agent modalities, neuromuscular retraining, joint mobilization, instrumental activities of daily living training, patient/family education, financial management training, health management and maintenance training, home management training, functional mobility, transfer training, community re-integration training, and wheelchair mobility training. The therapist provides age-specific care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, cultural, and chronological maturation needs of the patient. Demonstrates knowledge of changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric age groups; ability to assess and interpret data about the patient's status; and ability to identify age-specific needs and provide the appropriate care based upon the age related factors. When conducting patient evaluations and treatments, the occupational therapist considers the age, medical/psychological needs, cognitive abilities and culture of the patient as it relates to his/her ability to understand directions, provide effective self-assessment, and participate safely and appropriately in the treatment plan. The therapist works effectively with all treatment team members including the patient, family/care givers/friends, clinical students, physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists and other providers involved in patient's care. All documentation, including evaluations, treatment plans, progress notes, daily treatment notes, team note, discharge summaries and patient education is completed on all patients in accordance with facility policies (VA, PM&RS, OT) for content and timeliness. The therapist provides thorough written documentation for patient's current status, progress with therapy, therapy plan of care and patient response to treatment. Consults with patient/caregivers to determine appropriate short and long-term goals, as well as discharge plans. The incumbent develops and implements individualized client centered occupational therapy treatment programs for patients. He/she pays special attention to the individual needs of all patients with respect to age, development and cultural factors should be consistently demonstrated. The therapist periodically conducts quality assurance utilization reviews regarding patient treatment and departmental issues. The Occupational Therapist may also be required to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Occupational Therapy Service to which he/she is assigned. This involves managing patient caseload at a productive standard and addressing minor, routine problems which may arise. It may also include program management duties on an occasional basis. The Occupational Therapist will supervise certified occupational therapy assistants, occupational therapy aides and volunteers. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40636F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Language Proficiency. Occupational Therapist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 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; OR Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; OR Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of the Education and/or Experience #2 above if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in the State Licensure paragraph down below. Certification-Submit Documentation. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. State Licensure-Submit Documentation. 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. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Occupational Therapist GS-12 Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the [GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience 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. OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. OTs demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services. OTs at this level may be given assignments in any area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). Reference: VA Handbook 5005/127 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires frequent stooping, bending, walking, handling of wheelchairs and lifting in conjunction with treatment of patients. At times, there may be undue heavy lifting due to unforeseen circumstances such as preventing a patient from falling. Dexterity and skill in safe machinery techniques are required. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
