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 Major duties include, but not limited to: Provide senior leadership and oversight for daily clinical and administrative operations within Home Based Primary Care at all CTVHCS locations as directed by the Associate Chief of Staff for Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC). Participates in the formulation of overall service/program policies and procedures, goals, objectives, strategic planning, cost effectiveness, and quality monitoring. Responsible for the development and continued effective functioning of the HBPC interdisciplinary health care team recognizing and utilizing the skills, knowledge, and contributions of each team member. Facilitates an atmosphere of interactive management and development of collegial relationships among interdisciplinary team members, serving as a link between Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) Service and all healthcare disciplines included on the HBPC teams. Responsible for the HBPC team development and implementation of local HBPC policies and procedures to include performance improvement, patient safety, utilization review, emergency preparedness, and staff safety. Responsible for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the program and assuring effective/efficient resources are maintained to include but not limited to access, program budget, equipment inventory, GSA and VA owned vehicles. Collaborates with the HBPC Medical Director to manage human resources for the HBPC Program including selecting qualified staff, orienting and mentoring staff, promoting staff development and professional growth, and assuring a process for ongoing staff clinical competency, including the continuing education needs of program staff and the appropriate resources to meet those needs. Supports the integration and collaboration of all professional disciplines and functional areas in the mutual achievement of patient-centered and organizational goals. Contributes ideas and recommendations for the establishment of standards of care, policies, and objectives for the enhancement of patient care. Ensures assigned program follows statutory law, accrediting organizations, and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) regulations, policies, and procedures. Responsible for directing the clinical and administrative services offered by the program to ensure that the program is in compliance with local and VHA standards and policies as well as accreditation standards for home care organizations. Collaborate with the HBPC Medical Director for daily program management and collaborates with other HBPC Program Directors, Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) leadership and VA Central Office staff on a regular and ongoing basis. Processes, assigns, and tracks referrals for HBPC and ensures timely access to HBPC; manages the Electronic Waiting List (EWL) for HBPC referrals; collaborates with the Business Office and Fiscal Service to ensure accurate reporting of HBPC clinical, administrative and workload data. They are responsible for implementation of the vision, mission, philosophy, team norms, and core values for the organization. Responsible for evaluating program activities and providing follow up actions required by internal and external review organizations and accrediting bodies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000/Occupational Therapist (Program Coordinator) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN17EDRP2@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. Must possess a valid State Driver's license. 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 only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license. Certification. Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (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. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard (12/13/2019) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: GS-13: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training, or education for internal and external stakeholders. Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, and balance responsibilities. Ability to articulate and communicate the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, and objectives; as well as provide direction on work methods, practices and procedures in administration and/or education methodologies. Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work, evaluate the program to ensure that methods, deadlines and quality have been met, and ensure adjustments to the work process are in accordance with priorities. Ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs within a concentrated field or specialty area, such as amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, student clinical education/residency programming, polytrauma/traumatic or brain injury. Ability to effectively motivate and manage a clinical staff with widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view. Preferred Experience: 2 to 5 years of formal leadership experience. 1 to 2 years of formal VA leadership experience. 3 to 5 years of experience providing care primarily to Geriatric patients. 1 to 2 years of experience in home care. 1 to 2 years of supervisory experience in the VA. 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-13. 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. The incumbent will need to drive a car and have a valid state license. The position often places the incumbent in a position of stress. Frequent/daily travel is required, and overnight travel may be required when multi-day stays are necessary. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Accreditation Information: Individuals must be a graduate of] a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. 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, https://www.aotf.org, or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. 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/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for 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.
