Summary The mission of the Caregiver Support Program is to promote the health and well-being of family Caregivers who care for our nation's Veterans, through education, resources, support, and services. The Occupational Therapist - Clinical Assessor requires advanced knowledge and understanding of the services and benefits available for Veterans and Caregivers from both federal, state and private sector resources. Responsibilities This occupational series may be eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $40,000 annually, up to $100,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a three-year service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Contact VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Clinical: Uses knowledge of OT programming, the Caregiver support program, and hospital program to identify patients appropriate for this level of care and advocates for service. Seeks out information regarding populations served and utilizes information in evaluation and treatment of patients. Incorporates the occupational profile for the OT treatment of patients across multiple ages and diagnoses. Incorporates clinical practice guidelines and function-based activities to advance Caregiver support and veteran services. Interprets and incorporates current research and practice standards to inform evidence-based practice with specific focus in general medicine, pain neuroscience, and dementia. Independently selects and administers standardized and non-standardized assessments including a wide range of psychosocial, cognitive, and physical assessments appropriate for patient population. Documents comprehensive evaluations, progress, and discharge of patient's physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits to inform and develop appropriate OT treatment plans and discharge recommendations. Independently makes changes in treatment plans, methods and modalities based on patient response to treatment, communication with treatment team members, feedback from family members and the patient's goals. Collaborates with specialists in secondary coverage areas to monitor changes to interventions if complexity increases. Effectively and respectfully communicates in all interactions, specifically with patients, Caregivers, team members and other professionals in a timely manner across various platforms. Actively collaborates with other team members to create appropriate treatment plans and goals for patients. Routinely communicates discharge recommendations to team and family members or other stakeholders. Ability to set multiple priorities, meet multiple deadlines, make effective use of time and demonstrates willingness to adjust schedule to maximize productivity while continuing to meet patient priority for care and treatment. Active and valid driver's license is a requirement. Education: Professional competency is maintained through documented continuing education and training activities. Local and national VA educational expectations including but not limited to the Annual Mandatory Reviews (AMR's) are completed in a timely manner. Minnesota State License to practice OT is maintained as a condition of employment. A minimum of 2 competencies is completed annually. Competencies are completed on all new equipment prior to using it with patients. Maintains appropriate competencies with Occupational Therapy Department as well as competencies that relate to care coordination. Stays current on professional trends; accomplished by participating in in-service training, meetings, attending lectures, reading current literature, attending professional meetings in community and within the VA system, and individual continuing educational pursuits. Occupational Therapy is advanced through participation in orientations, lectures and in-service presentations for Medical Center employees, volunteers, visitors, affiliated schools and community and supervision of OT students. Administrative: Accurate and timely documentation that follows department and professional standards of patient services including evaluation, progress, discharge, patient contacts, and patient educations. Timely and accurate selection and application of the correct reimbursement codes and workload entry as supported by documentation. Maintains department and professional knowledge of coding and workload entry. Periodically conducts or participates in quality assurance utilization reviews regarding patient treatment and departmental issues. Aware of and adheres to the facility's rules, policies and procedures, the National Board for Certification in Occupational therapy, and the American Occupational Therapy Association Standards of Practice and Standards of Ethics to insure quality patient care. The incumbent functions within the parameters of his/her position description and complies with the policies and procedures of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Medical Center. Insures proper level of supplies and equipment by sharing in the inventory and ordering process. Shares responsibility for clinic safety and maintenance. Work Schedule: Administrative Days Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (a) 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Grade Determinations: GS-9 Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. (See basic requirements above) GS-11 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. Demonstrated 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 Education, Experience, and Licensure: Appointment to the GS-12 grade level requires completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the applicant's resume 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: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/ Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. 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.
