Summary The nature of the work of this position is to perform occupational therapy duties as a rehabilitation member of Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) and HUD-VASH, and as a specialist in topics of occupational therapy home and community care. This position supports the goals of the HBPC and HUD-VASH Programs and provides clinical, administrative, logistical and regulatory expertise to the OT Section Chief and other OTs who perform any OT services in the home or community. Responsibilities Clinical 1. Evaluations: The therapist evaluates primarily in the home setting. Information is gathered from the medical record, interview of the veteran and other appropriate people such as family and caregiver or other providers, observation, and standardized and non-standardized testing. The therapist evaluates: Areas of occupation: activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), education, work, leisure, and social participation. Performance patterns: habits, routines, roles. Context(s): Cultural, physical environment, social, personal, spiritual, temporal, virtual. Activity demands: the kind of tools, space, social, timing, body functions and body structures that are required by the activity. Client factors: body functions and structures. These include mental, sensory, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, speech and skin functions, and the body structures that support those functions. Imbedded in bullets above are age related, gender identity related factors and the veteran's military history. 2. Intervention: The therapist develops an intervention plan in collaboration with the veteran and family, caregiver and social support, and other team members. The plan considers the veteran's @context and activity demands. The intervention plan includes objective and measurable goals with timeframes. The intervention is an accepted occupational therapy approach based on theory and evidence. The therapist carries out the plan which may include, but not be limited to: Activities that may optimize performance skills and client factors such as: strengthening, range of motion, fine motor tasks, and memory and attention exercises. Activities to optimize ability to perform areas of occupation, such as: ADL, IADL, education, work, leisure, and social interaction. Prescription and training in use of durable medical equipment (DME). Prescription of, fitting and training in use of seating systems and manual and electric wheelchairs. Collaborating with and teaching patients' caregivers in safe use of DME and handling of patients, optimizing veteran independence and veteran and caregiver safety. Recommendations for home modifications and equipment to create safe access into, out of and within the home and advice on the regulations that govern their provision. Liaisons with non-VA home health agencies, medical equipment providers and vendors to assist them in working within VA Rehabilitation and Prosthetics Service program policies and regulations 3. Maximization of Outcomes: The therapist maximizes patient outcomes by: Reassessing veterans' response to treatment at regular intervals. Improving the OT HBPC/home care and HUD-VASH clinical programs through contributions to program development, and ongoing program evaluation and refinements. 4. Optimization of Health and Safety: The therapist applies all health and safety procedures during patient care activities Follows all VA, HBPC/home care and Rehabilitation infection control policies. Follows all HBPC/home care strategies to identify and mitigate potential risks in the home, such as presence of firearms, illegal activities, or animals. Monitors veterans' vital statistics in response to therapeutic activities and identifies when there is an urgent or emergent medical condition. Is aware of veterans' Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) status. Has CPR certification, applies CPR and calls 911 when appropriate. Properly operates and applies DME such as hospital beds, wheelchairs and orthotics. 5. Management of Clinical Information Records patient care activities in evaluation, reassessment, daily and discharge notes following all VA, Home Care, Rehabilitation, and OT regulations. Communicates patient status to team members via secure and accepted practices Administrative Maintains and/or compiles all required records, including: encounter entry, consult completion, Event Capture and others as requested. Represents Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Services to colleagues in the HBPC/home care programs and others as appropriate Submits Prosthetic Consults in a timely manner and according to proper protocol. Monitors clinic supply inventory and ensures adequate supply levels according to Rehabilitation Service protocol. Participates in developing Quality Improvement (QI) indicators, conducts QI audits and shares responsibility for QI minutes when requested Professional and Educational Development 1. Completes all VA, Rehabilitation Service and program specific mandatory training Develops and provides interdepartmental and intradepartmental in-services and ongoing training. Supervises and trains occupational therapy interns when assigned by supervisor Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00pm-16:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10292F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): No Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 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 Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. 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. 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. Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist. (1) 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). (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. (3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. (4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Licensure/Certification. In all cases, graduate OTs must actively pursue obtaining required credentials from the date of their appointment. The human resource office will notify the uncertified/unlicensed OT in writing of the requirement to obtain certification/licensure, the date by which the certification/license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified/licensed by the deadline date. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to obtain required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment. 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 (Clinical Specialist), 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 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. Preferred Experience: 3 years of Home Health experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14, dated December 13,2019. 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. Physical Requirements: May require medium strength according to the Department of Labor. Medium work entails: exerting 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Examples of the medium strength required are as follows: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting; sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts and binders; reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly, 1-25 pounds frequently, and 20-50 pounds occasionally. 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 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.
