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 (1 to f5 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 This Occupational Therapist (Outpatient) position is for the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the VA Bedford Healthcare System located at the Bedford, Massachusetts location. This position is full time at 40 hours per week. This position requires a fully licensed and registered Occupational Therapist that works independently requiring minimal guidance from the Occupational Therapy Supervisor. The primary functions of this position are to perform Occupational Therapy (OT) examinations and evaluations, interpret clinical findings, establish a diagnosis and prognosis within the scope of OT, and implement appropriate OT intervention plans for all Veterans referred. The ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a direct access environment is required. The Occupational Therapist's evaluations may occur on campus in assigned areas, community-based outpatient clinics or Veteran's home. Duties include, but are not limited to: Actively engage Veterans in activities to restore and enhance their performance and potential for independent living or maximum function within their lifestyles. Review complex medical histories, with multiple comorbidities and impairments, limitations and restrictions related to their condition in order to provide specialized care. Evaluate, intervene, educate families and caregivers while demonstrating professional judgement concerning a treatment plan. Exercise originality in solving problems and making innovative adaptations and modifications of treatment plans and procedures in order to meet the complex and highly varying needs of Veterans. Conduct independent and specialized evaluation of the Veteran by using a variety of standardized and non-standardized tests to determine occupational therapy needs. Recognize contraindications, precautions and parameters prescribed by referring provider and consult with referring provider/team if these are questionable. Develop an effective and client centered treatment plan that is appropriate and indicated for the disabilities and conditions being treated. Establish short and long-term goals for patient care plan that are objective, measurable, ensuring any modifications are implemented to achieve goals. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 518-F2279 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Former participants are ineligible to apply for the EDRP incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions or assistance, Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required NOTIFICATIONS: This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and @type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. 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 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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education/ and/or Experience. 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, 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, Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. 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. 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. Certification. Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an Occupational Therapist. 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 requirements. 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. GS-9 None beyond the basic requirements. GS-11 Experience. One year experience equivalent at the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. OR, Education. Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field. OR, Doctorate in occupational therapy. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of 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 Experience. One year experience equivalent at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education 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 (durable medical equipment). Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. Preferred Experience: At least 3 years or greater outpatient experience treating both acute and chronic UE diagnoses, splinting, physical agent modalities certification, cognitive and home safety evaluations. Clinical knowledge for developing treatment plans for complex medical referrals. 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-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: The work requires frequent stooping, bending, walking, handling of wheelchairs and lifting in conjunction with treatment of Veterans. At times, there may be undue heavy lifting due to unforeseen circumstances such as preventing a Veteran from falling. dexterity and skill in safe machinery techniques are required. The therapist will travel into the community to meet Veterans in a variety of areas. The therapist will be exposed to weather elements. Work Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts which require special safety and health precautions, e.g., working regularly with Veterans and in situations where there is risk of exposure to contagious diseases, odors and/or flammable gases. The occupational therapist is required to wear protective clothing such as gloves and a mask to prevent disease and the spread of infection. 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.
