Summary The Occupational Therapist is assigned to the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Program providing service to an inpatient ward that includes a 38-bed, comprehensive inpatient program, an acute consultation program, and an outpatient program serving a population of over 1300 Veterans with spinal cord injury. Is a subject matter expert in the neurologic specialty area of SCI/D, with a focus on Advanced Technologies and the appropriate application and use of Assistive Technology (AT) devices. Responsibilities Incumbent develops the Occupational Therapy program for patients treated on the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders (SCI/D) Unit with special focus on Assistive Technologies (AT). Goals of treatment are to demonstrate advanced skills with the SCI/D population; to evaluate physical and cognitive functioning; maintain, restore, and enhance performance and potential for independent living; maximize function within their lifestyle; aid in the adjustment and understanding of disability; recommend appropriate placement or discharge plans. Duties include but are not limited to: Demonstrates advanced knowledge of Assistive Technologies; advanced knowledge to include screening, evaluation, treatment interventions specific to the SCI/D populations in the areas of the appropriate usage of devices; evaluation and ordering and training of these compensatory devices for Veterans with SCI/D. Performs complex occupational therapy evaluations for SCI/D patients with regard to activities of daily living. Evaluates patients with spinal cord injuries and related disorders for specialized and individualized technology needs. Considered during evaluation are the patient's level of injury, mechanism of injury, pre- and post-morbid cognitive and visual levels of function, and post-injury impairments. Provides training in use of external and internal tools for Assistive Technology in rehabilitation Assesses for and properly prescribes rehabilitative and compensatory tools. Evaluates patients with SCI/D who demonstrate a need for assistive technologies in order to maximize independence in ADLs, IADLs and recreational activities. Consults with veteran, medical team, nursing, and wound care nurse regarding veteran's unique needs for maintaining skin integrity and/or supporting wound healing. Demonstrates knowledge of entire spectrum of deficits which necessitate the need for assistive technologies as well as strategies for remediation and compensation for these deficits. Develops protocols for evaluation and issuance of Assistive Technologies, including templates for documentation, reference sheets for screening and treatment progression, and updates to SCI/D interdisciplinary team. Uses advanced knowledge of evidence -based OT treatment and interventions across multiple areas of practice to evaluate, determine goals, implement a program, recommend adaptive equipment and assistive technologies, and plan discharge for patients within the specialized areas of SCI/D. Communicates with team members regarding changes in patient status, development of treatment programs, and discharge plans. Assesses the need for an patient's ability to use adaptive equipment including ADL aids, power and manual mobility, bathroom aids, emergency access technology and other assistive technologies. Participates in home visits as appropriate to patient's home or place of employment to assess for safety, self-care, ergonomic considerations, and need for adaptive equipment and/or assistive technology as it relates to the SCI/D population. Provides advanced clinical information and education in the area of assistive technologies to all therapists and other SCI/D staff in the assigned area as requested. Demonstrates knowledge of assistive technologies evaluation and issuance by acting as a resource on technology to clinicians both locally and nationally. Established contact with local and national assistive technology specialists to keep up to date on innovative products and rehabilitation interventions. Demonstrates the ability to function as a clinical instructor for affiliating students with an emphasis on SCI/D and assistive technology expertise. Provides advanced expertise and training to occupational therapists and staff of the SCI/D service with additional focus on assistive technology. Provides OT-relevant training to SCI/D nursing staff on skills needed to assist with daily care needs of veterans with SCI/D during inpatient rehabilitation. Oversees the day-to-day operation of the SCI/D Occupational Therapy clinic areas to which assigned. Provides input to the SCI/D Chief and SCI/D Therapy Supervisor for the development and/or revision of OT department policy and procedures as requested. Assists the SCI/D Program Manager in establishing patient care standards by designing and implementing an evaluation and program planning protocol for the service as requested. Communicates regularly, both formally and informally, with SCI/D patients, family, and caregivers with regards to the care needs for veterans with SCI/D. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm (subject to change based on the needs of the facility) Telework: Not Available 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. 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 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. 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.(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. (d) 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. 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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). Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled and one of the following: (a) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; (c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or (d) An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated KSAs: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. (b) Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. (c) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. (e) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. (f) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. Assignment: Clinical OT specialists at this grade level serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. This individual must demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Clinical OT specialist may initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research. Preferred Experience: SCI/Neurologic specialty rehabilitation experience preferred; assistive technology experience preferred. Grade Determinations: The full performance level of this vacancy is (GS-13). The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting; Light carrying; Straight pulling; Pushing; Reaching above shoulder; Walking; Standing; Repeated bending; The incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. For further information see VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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.
