Summary The Occupational Therapist is assigned to VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. Incumbent will function as a highly independent practitioner of Occupational Therapy in the Rehabilitation Therapies department. Provides assessment/treatment of patients requiring rehabilitation services across multiple settings with primary settling in the Community Living Center (CLC) with cross coverage provided in seated mobility clinic and acute setting as needed. Responsibilities The Occupational Therapist will be assigned to the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS). The incumbent will function as a highly independent practitioner of Occupational Therapy in the Rehabilitation Therapies department. Provides assessment and treatment of patients requiring rehabilitation services in the CLC setting with cross coverage provided to the seated mobility clinic and acute wards as needed. Evaluates patients, prepares treatment plans, routinely assesses results of treatment, and provides timely, clinically accurate and appropriate documentation of care provided. The incumbent Evaluates for, issues, and instructs patients and/or caregivers on use of adaptive and durable medical equipment. Serves as a consultant to other clinical and non-clinical staff within department, within the community, and to other medical center staff regarding the scope and skills of occupational therapy. Actively participates in patient care planning and discharge rounds as necessary for their area of assignment and works effectively with interdisciplinary team members and other allied health care staff for coordination of the patient's care and needs. Provides patient care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. May travel to community based outpatient clinic(s) in response to patient and program needs. Duties of the position include, but are not limited to: Clinical: The incumbent is responsible for independently providing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals (as applicable). Interprets findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and then integrates findings into the occupational therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. The incumbent assesses the patient's need for adaptive devices, equipment, or modifications to ensure maximum safety and independence (including, but not limited to, hand and UE splinting, ADL equipment, special seating, custom wheelchair prescription, environment control systems and architectural barrier assessments). The incumbent will utilize pertinent developed protocols, recognize any contraindications or precautions, and modify treatment as needed for patient's changing medical condition(s). Additionally, the incumbent provides patient/family education as part of planned treatment progress regarding utilization of devices, safety, therapeutic exercises and rehabilitation potential. The incumbent appropriately delegates care to occupational therapy assistants and provides appropriate clinical supervision of this care, including scheduling of appointments in accordance with both patients' needs and licensing requirements. Documentation of all care will be completed in accordance with local directives, guidelines and JCAHO standards. Assists with clinical management of consults, including consideration for referral to community care for initial or ongoing care requests. Educational: The incumbent self-identifies their continuing educational needs, keeps abreast of advances in the field, and ensures that they provide care in accordance with current research and contemporary occupational therapy practice. Maintains an active license to practice occupational therapy. Assists in the assignment, supervision, and development/refinement of training programs for pre-occupational therapy students, volunteers, and/or aides. The incumbent has the ability to develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for, and independently provide clinical oversight of, students on clinical affiliations who are in professional OT or COTA educational programs. Administrative: The incumbent is responsible for completing all encounters for workload (patient care) in accordance with national and local directives and guidelines, including correct CPT and diagnosis code usage. The incumbent ensures inventory and supplied needed for patient care are maintained and follows departmental procedures for the ordering and re-ordering of supplies. The incumbent consistently follows all department administrative processes, including but not limited to, scheduling, patient check-in, check-out, prosthetic item ordering, and maintains current knowledge of all applicable directives and SOPs. Attends PMRS and departmental staff meetings, and shares ideas and concerns regarding the occupational therapy department with peers and supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0730 -1600 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)). 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 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 Have a 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. 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. Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.] 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. 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 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G14 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12 . Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift 30lbs 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. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.
