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 Position is located in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service at the Doris E. Miller Veterans' Hospital, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System, Waco, Texas. Major Duties as Assigned, but not limited to: 1. 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. Addresses the Veteran's rehabilitation potential, behavior and any psychosocial aspects of care. Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them are developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation. 2. 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. 3. Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out treatment program and re-evaluates and adjusts OT treatment as appropriate. 4. 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. Problems not covered by guides are solved independently by utilizing specialized skills, knowledge, and experience. Independently solves complex problems related to OT. Adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of the Veterans. 5. Conducts and documents PM&RS screening assessments in compliance with Joint Commission Standards and CARF making recommendations for treatment to meet a wide variety of complex rehabilitation needs and responds to requests/referrals for treatment. Serves as the PM&RS member of the respective interdisciplinary treatment teams. 6. Elicits Veteran participation in implementing occupational therapy objectives in restoring or maintaining patient performance. Independently employs different motivational techniques to ensure Veteran participation in treatment program where objectives are difficult to achieve because of severity or complexity of disabilities. 7. 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. 8. Monitors Veteran's response to program, summarizes and analyzes Veteran's performance, and modifies program and goals when necessary to meet Veteran's needs as situations and performance changes in order to attain projected functional outcomes. Consults as needed with ward team members as to the progress and changing needs. 9. Re-administers evaluations using established methods of measurement to document changes in Veteran performance as it relates to projected outcome levels. 10. Regularly writes progress notes in the electronic record evaluating Veteran's response to treatment, analyzing treatment plans, progress, symptoms, attitudes, and reactions and record changes in treatment activities according to established policies, procedures, and time frames. 11. Independently develops, plans, coordinates, and initiates new programs, activities, and procedures to meet needs of Veterans with complex problems/disabilities as well as the specific needs of the general population of patients. 12. Consistently practices the customer service performance expectations as established by the CARE (connect, appreciate, respond and empower) model. Communicates in a clear, caring, courteous and respectful manner with Veterans, visitors, co-workers, suppliers, supervisors and other stakeholders (internal and external) and clarifies information received. Responds to customer's requests, inquires and complaints in an accurate and timely manner and provides follow-up as needed. Maintains patient confidentiality and privacy during all communications whether in writing or orally. Incumbent will display a cooperative attitude with co-workers, supervisors, interdisciplinary team members and other services and will effectively work together to implement the section's, service's and organization's mission and goals. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Occupational Therapist/PD00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN17SSUUSAS@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. 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. 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: a. 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)). b. Education and/or Experience. (1) 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. (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. d. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. e. 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. f. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. g. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. h. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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-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: Completes complex and varied evaluations serving as the subject matter expert and as a consultant and treating therapist of patients in the outpatient Rehabilitation, acute care, and Community Living Center (CLC) setting which are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. Serves as a subject matter expert in the field of occupational therapy in serving Adult to Geriatric aged patients Has extensive knowledge in providing recommendations for adaptive equipment/strategies in serving patients with multiple co-morbidities. 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. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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 NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the ACOTE http://www.acoteonline.org website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. 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.
