This Occupational Therapist position is located within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service at the VA Providence Healthcare System. This position is part-time at 20 hours per week. 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). 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. Certification. Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an Occupational Therapist. Education/ and/or Experience. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-9. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-11. Experience. One year experience equivalent at the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Education. 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. 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. GS-12. Experience. One year experience equivalent at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. 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 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: Geriatric and Mental Health 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. 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 physical demands of the position involve standard office requirements such as using the telephone, retrieving files, writing reports, data entry and maintenance of computer databases, etc. The position requires periods of walking, standing and bending. If unable to meet the physical demands for the position, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must have good manual dexterity. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken and written word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens. The therapist will travel into the community to meet Veterans in a variety of areas. The therapist will be exposed to weather elements. ["The Occupational Therapist (OT) duties and responsibilities are carried out within the healthcare system including various clinical, administrative, and patient care areas associated with Sensory and Physical Rehabilitation Medicine Service Line (SPRSL). Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides direct treatment and care. Utilizes current evidence-based research and data in providing services, establishing new programs, and in consultation with other disciplines to ensure efficacy of treatment and service. Terminates services when maximum benefit is achieved and formulates discontinuation and follow-up plans. Serves as a consultant to other medical center personnel in evaluating and planning occupational therapy treatment for the most complex cases. Communicates with affiliates, and students to provide a high-quality clinical experience in the profession of OT and ensure that the care of Veterans is not negatively affected in the process. May assist with cross-coverage for other OT sections so long as it does not negatively impact care in assigned OT section. Effectiveness of rehabilitation services provided by the therapist may significantly impact the Veterans quality of life, level of functional independence and the burden and cost of care. Proficient at and responsible for conducting and documenting face to face, telephone, telehealth and VVC sessions. Responds to incoming occupational therapy consults for the PRRC in a timely manner and tracks access numbers for inclusion in outcome data reporting. Assists the Recovery Coordinator in designing and developing therapy groups and services for PRRC, as needed consistent with 1) standards, scope and ethics of practice of occupational therapy, 2) policies and procedures within the VA system, VAPHS, and the MHBSS, 3) evidence-based best practices in psychiatric recovery and rehabilitation. Submits timely, accurate documentation (Assessment, Recovery plan, progress notes, re-evaluation, and discharge summaries) on those Veterans receiving treatment within the PRRC. Helps to collect PRRC outcome data and maintain program data to comply with CARF, Joint Commission, VA and VAPHS policy and procedures. Attends PRRC and MHBSS staff meetings and participates in committees within PRRC, as necessary. Run psycho-educational and skills-building therapy groups for Veterans with SMI. Act as a consultant to other team/staff members in the PRRC and MHBSS on psychosocial rehabilitation. Adheres to established standards, policies and procedures set forth by section, service and healthcare system. Manages resources (time, materials, staff) in a cost-effective manner. Assists program and service line in achieving compliances with regulatory agency standards, including state, federal and CARF accreditation and Joint Commission standards. Abides by VA and HIPAA patient confidentiality regulations in documentation, consultation, and release of information. Actively participates in VAPHS committees and task forces. Initiates service recovery when Veterans or Caregivers report complaints or concerns. Complies with VAPHS and VHA regulations regarding the use of government vehicles and equipment (phones, computers, laptops, etc.). Supports performance improvement activities by identifying processes to be improved, participating in the development of monitoring indicators and evaluation criteria, collecting data, implementing process changes, monitoring outcomes, and initiating corrective measures. Work Schedule: Part-time, Monday-Friday. Functional Statement #: F06358/F06359/F06360 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is eligible for coverage by a Bargaining Unit, but is not currently represented. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment."]

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