Incumbent functions as a member of the Occupational Therapy department. The primary purpose of work is direct patient care with the goal of maximizing the patient's functional abilities. Position is the occupational therapy department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMRS) department in the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System. 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. Education/Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: 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 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 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. A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) Grandfathering Provision: Employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) They may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) If an OT who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. (3) OTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) OTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: Occupational Therapist, GS-9 Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11 Education, Experience, or Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; OR Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR Doctorate in occupational therapy. AND 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. Occupational Therapist, GS-12 Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. AND Demonstrated GS-12 level KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate 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. Preferred Experience: Inpatient rehabilitation experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching. Lifting and carrying of occasional moderately heavy objects, such as assistive devices occurs regularly. Must be able to lift objects up to 35 pounds. Periods of time may be moderately demanding, to include assisting Veterans with impaired mobility and/or cognitive functioning. Extended periods of computer processing duties. Employee must be able to work under the pressure of emergent conditions and tight deadlines. In the performance of duties, the incumbent may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles and participate in evaluation of Veterans home via telehealth or in person visit. ["Duties Include: Utilizes 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 veterans. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Ability to procure, fabricate, adjust, adapt and modify orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment (inclusive of durable medical equipment). Participates in the performance improvement activities of the service. Selects standardized testing and follows defined protocols when indicated. Develops and implements individualized occupational therapy treatment programs for veterans. Included in the intervention plan are client-centered goals that are clear, measurable, functional, contextually relevant and appropriate to the veteran's needs and expected outcomes. Develops and documents an intervention plan that is based on the results of the occupational therapy evaluation and the goals of the veteran. Monitors progress during the intervention process and documents progress of goals, performance and needs. Modifies intervention to reflect changes in status and response to intervention. Informs Veteran's and appropriate others regarding the relative benefits and risks of the intervention. Prepares and implements a discharge plan that addresses follow-up resources and identifies change in status between initial evaluation and discharge. Works effectively with treatment team members including, veterans, family/significant others, and other health care providers in coordinating the veteran's total care. Reviews Occupational Therapy consults to identify necessary elements and determine clinical appropriateness of referral for assessment and evaluation. Educates current and potential referral sources about the scope of occupational therapy services and the process of initiating occupational therapy services. Incumbent is responsible for providing evaluation and treatment for both inpatient and outpatient veterans in order to maximize Veteran's functional level. Educates in use of orthoses and adaptive equipment, both prefabricated and custom equipment. Evaluates for home modifications to enhance accessibility. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm\nTelework: ADHOC\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.