Summary

The incumbent is an integral part of a large comprehensive Occupational Therapy (OT) Service at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. The Occupational Therapist position is assigned to the advanced wheelchair seating and mobility clinic. Therapist is currently certified as an Assistive Technology Provider (ATP) through Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) and has clinical experience in advanced wheelchair seating and mobility.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• a
• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a))
• b
• 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
• c
• 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
• d
• Certification
• Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT
• e
• 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 or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard 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
• 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: 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• English Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• 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: Therapist is currently certified as an Assistive Technology Provider (ATP) through Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) and has experience in the clinical evaluation - issuance - and fitting of advanced seating and mobility equipment
• 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
• All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package
• We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
• Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification
• It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package.

Duties

• The incumbent applies knowledge in assistive technology/advanced wheeled mobility in conjunction with knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy theory - practice skills - and techniques - inclusive of cognition - psychological sequelae - physical and environmental contexts - and implications of medical conditions on daily function
• The incumbent works to evaluate - determine assistive technology needs - procure equipment - and train Veterans and/or caregivers in the safe operation of wheeled mobility and patient lift devices
• Recommendations and issuance of equipment is based on clinical expertise considering the needs of the Veteran and caregiver - improving independence - safety - and access to the community
• The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert in assistive technology - specifically wheeled mobility devices and patient lifts
• Incumbent provides consultation to other providers and departments for evaluation and issuance of appropriate wheeled mobility devices and patient lifts who are unable to travel to site or are outside of service area
• The incumbent has comprehensive knowledge of prosthetics ordering and contracting processes - national prosthetics standards as it pertains to wheeled mobility devices and patient lifts - and contracted items
• Incumbent maintains professional relationships with vendors - strictly adhering to VA ethics and rules
• This person functions with a great deal of autonomy in carrying out the duties of the position
• Access to clinical specialists exist for consultation on complex practice issues
• Additional duties and responsibilities are consistent with usual OT clinic operations such as providing cross coverage as needed within the OT department and providing supervision for affiliated OT trainees
• The incumbent may serve on committees - work groups and other efforts Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized