Summary The mission of the Caregiver Support Program (CSP) Occupational Therapist is to promote the health and well-being of family caregivers who care for our nation's Veterans, through education, resources, support, and services. Under the VA MISSION Act, VA is significantly expanding services and supports provided to family caregivers of Veterans of all eras. Responsibilities Serves as a core member of the NMVAHCS interdisciplinary Caregiver Support team. The interdisciplinary team is responsible for reviewing and monitoring Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) cases and providing information to the VISN Centralized Eligibility & Appeals Team (CEAT) regarding admission, ongoing level of care adjustments, and discharge appropriateness. Requires knowledge of the services and benefits available for caregivers from both federal, state and private sector resources but the statute, regulations, and policy that govern the program. The incumbent must be sensitive to the issues and needs of Veterans and their families. Serves as the Caregiver Support Program (CSP) Occupational Therapist assigned to the PCAFC within the CSP, which provides a state-of-the-art continuum of services, education and resources to caregivers of Veterans, as a member of the CSP interdisciplinary team. Advises and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on caregiver issues. Creates educational tools, develops programs in coordination with CSP Manager, and delivers training focused on specific caregiver needs/issues. In consultation with CSP Manager, provides education and in-service training to VAMC employees, Veterans, families and caregivers. Provides ongoing consultation and support to colleagues regarding caregiver support. Collaborates with CSP Manager and CSP staff on developing and facilitating caregiver support groups (face-to-face and virtual) and educational programs. Distributes educational materials provided by VA, local, state and national caregiver organizations. Supervises occupational therapy students and health profession trainees as assigned. Provides clinical evidence-based services and interventions; provide caregiver, Veteran and staff education on caregiver issues; engage in community outreach and resource development; continuous quality-improvement activities, and evaluation/consultation. Assess Veterans needs for personal care services, particularly Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), supervision, protection, or instruction, working closely with the Caregiver Support Program Manager and/or designee(s), to complete Veteran functional assessments and re-assessments. The incumbent will also assist other program staff in providing clinical services, completing notes and gathering/monitoring data related to the day-to-day functioning and evaluation of the program. Conducts initial home assessments as part of the application or reassessment process for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). The purpose of these home visits is to assess for functional and mobility needs and safety as well as to assess need for personal care services using standardized assessments--which will assist the Centralized Eligibility and Appeal Teams (CEAT) in determining eligibility. The Clinical Assessor will also conduct ongoing wellness contacts via phone, electronic means, and in-home wellness visits. Face to face visits, in-home visits, and travel through the Raymond G. Murphy VAMC Catchment area is required. Incumbent must possess a valid driver's license and complete all necessary trainings to operate a government vehicle. Participates in face-to-face, virtual, and phone contact with the caregiver and Veteran to assess function and the need for personal care services, and as needed, the development and application of directed clinical treatment interventions Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 08:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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 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. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements below possessing a degree from an approved program by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the education institution). A Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two years of experience as an occupational therapist A Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two full years of graduate education in a related field A Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy Licensure. Applicants must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice Occupational Therapy in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Certification. Applicants must possess written documentation indicating successful completion and passing of the entry-level certification examination for OTs which is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). NOTE: OT Graduates who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or State licensure may be given a temporary appointment as a "graduate Occupational Therapist" for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment. 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. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. Grade Determinations: GS-9 Grade Requirements: None beyond the basic requirements above. GS-11 Grade Requirements Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 Grade level directly related to the position being filled; or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. GS-12 Grade Requirements Experience: Applicants must have successful completion of one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade at the GS-11 and directly related to the position being filled. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate 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. 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). Preferred Experience: ??????Experience with Geriatric or Medically complex individual and experience working in home based settings. Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14- Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard. 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-9 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. 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.
