Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities The position is located in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service at the Olin E. Teague Veterans' Center, VA Central Texas Healthcare System, Temple, Texas. The Outpatient Occupational Therapist is responsible for evaluation and development of treatment objectives to solve complex problems related to Occupational Therapy by engaging the patient in rehabilitative activities to restore and enhance performance for independent living and maximum function. The Occupational Therapist will provide clinical service primarily in outpatient clinic, will provide coverage of services in the acute care or extended care settings as needed. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Evaluates, develops, and implements appropriate occupational therapy treatment to address both activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, range of motion, muscle strength, coordination, pain, motor skills, functional ability, home safety, environmental accessibility, work hardening, cognitive function, sensory/ perceptual function and social needs. Administers and interprets recognized tests and measurements to determine baseline level of functioning and treatment applications which will enable patients to achieve valued functional outcomes. Documents results as established in Scopes of Assessments and makes clinical treatment recommendations. Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out treatment program and re-evaluates and adjusts OT treatment as appropriate. Responsible for the management and organization of the treatment area and works independently in planning and carrying out a treatment program to meet complex treatment objectives. Determines need for orthotic or assistive/adaptive devices/equipment and training. Provides Veteran with splints and/or adaptive equipment as needed to attain treatment goals. Educates Veteran and significant other in the proper application/installation/use for a specific device. Re-administers evaluations using established methods of measurement to document changes in Veteran performance as it relates to projected outcome levels. Maintains professional competency through documented and appropriate continuing education for professional and personal growth. Maintains professional state licensure and national certification. Maintains membership in professional organizations and reads current literature. Plans and provides in-service educational programs to Occupational Therapy staff. Provides educational sessions to other professionals and/or trainees to promote understanding of, and appropriate use of, Occupational Therapy services. Assesses Veteran educational needs, promotes, coordinates, and participates in Veteran education and counseling based on needs of the patient and significant others. Participates in quality assurance activities and review including chart reviews, peer reviews, Veteran care monitoring, and Veteran satisfaction surveys. Compiles necessary statistics that assists supervisor in determining program effectiveness, efficiency, patient satisfaction for monthly, quarterly, and annual QI measures for CARF, JC, etc. Attends scheduled departmental meetings, multidisciplinary staff meetings, other meetings affecting Veteran care, and committee meetings as assigned. Inpatient therapist's schedules inpatient clinic appointment using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology (Vista) scheduling options. Outpatient therapists triages consults and writes text orders for scheduling of Veteran's appointments. Uses established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans. This includes clinic visits and consultations. Complies with the mandatory training requirements for the mandatory training requirements for the scheduling options. Receive and demonstrate current education and training concepts required in order to treat age specific groups of Veterans or treatment of Veterans with specialty diagnoses. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN17EDRP2@VA.GOV, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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, (b) 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, (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. (2) 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. c. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph 3b(2) if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph 3e of this appendix. c. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. d. State Licensure. 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. e. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. f. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). g. Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist. OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure, may be appointed, pending certification and/or licensure, as a graduate OT on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained. For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed. A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirement. Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Occupational Therapist, GS-9 (1) Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11 (1) Education, Experience, or Licensure. (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; OR, (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR, (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. Occupational Therapist, GS-12 (1) 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. (2) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) 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. (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. (c) 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. (d) Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment). (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. Preferred Experience: Subject matter expert and treating therapist of patients in the outpatient rehabilitation clinic for home adaptations and safety assessments, provision of adaptive and durable medical equipment. Demonstrated experience in home adaptation /modification, one of the following certifications: Certified Aging in Place Specialist(CAPS), Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP), Executive Certification in Home Modification(ECHM). Provide direct occupational therapy interventions with varying degree of complexity to enhance safety, wellness and performance in basic, and instrumental activities of daily living. Reference: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G14 Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard dated December 13, 2019. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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-09 to GS-12. 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/. Accreditation Information: The bachelor's degree must 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. Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from http://www.acoteonline.org 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/. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Additional Information Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light Lifting, under 15 pounds; Pulling hand over hand (2-4 hours); Pushing (2-4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (6 hours); Standing (6 hours); Kneeling (1-2 hours); Repeated bending (4-6 hours); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle (Government vehicle); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional/Mental Stability; Clear Speech. Environmental - Outside and inside; Dry atmospheric conditions; Dust; Work around moving objects or vehicles; Working closely with others; Working alone; Protracted or irregular hours of work 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.
