Career Center

Summary

The Occupational Therapist provides direct patient care - and effective case management of Occupational Therapy patients in outpatient locations at the Western Colorado Health Care System. WCHCS is a level 2b complexity facility - with intermediate surgical complexity status - a Polytrauma Point of Contact (POC) site - and is an Amputation Clinic Team (ACT) site.

Qualifications

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until May 23 - 2025. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be March 7 - 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. *** 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:

• -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))
• -English Language Proficiency Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• -Education and/or 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
• -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 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)
• 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
• Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years - or converted to a new temporary appointment
• Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist - GS-09 -Education - Experience - or Licensure None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignments Individuals assigned at the GS-09 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems
• The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently
• Occupational Therapist - GS-11 -Education - Experience - or Licensure Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 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
• Assignment OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools
• The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety - wellness - performance in activities of daily living (AOL)
• and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation
• Occupational Therapist - GS-12 -Education - Experience - and Licensure Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• AND -Demonstrated [Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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
• Assignment OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety - wellness - and performance in AOL - instrumental IADL - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation
• OTs demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis - behavioral intervention - frame of references - and therapeutic procedures
• Preferred Experience: None 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-09 to GS-12
• Physical Requirements: This position requires frequent bending and lifting - and the ability to assist patients with a variety of therapeutic activities
• Incumbent must be able to lift 50 pounds to chest height and maintain good body mechanics
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Staff Occupational Therapist Provides direct patient care and effective case management of Occupational Therapy patients for in-patient and outpatient services - as well as Home Safety Evaluations
• Actively participates as a member of interdisciplinary outpatient care coordination team
• Coordinates outpatient services with the local PM&R department - other VA facilities - Fee Based referral sources for disciplines within PM&R - home health rehabilitation services - and PSAS/MME committees
• Coordinates PM&R focused in-service training opportunities for PM&R and the facility as a whole
• Coordinates additional staffing based on outpatient census
• Acts as a subject matter expert regarding Outpatient Occupational Therapy services - and mentors other staff as appropriate
• Travels to patient homes to perform home safety evaluations using government furnished vehicle
• Performs comprehensive patient evaluations Primary patient care responsibilities will be outpatient and inpatient Occupational Therapy intervention
• Ancillary responsibilities will include inpatient and/or HBPC Occupational Therapy responsibilities - as directed by the Supervisory Therapist PM&RS
• Patients are scheduled for evaluation and follow up appointments in such a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff yet meet the patient's needs
• Patient medical records are reviewed to assess appropriateness of Occupational Therapy intervention - note any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process
• Evaluations include medical history - results - and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion - muscle strength - sensory/perceptual deficits - coordination - functional mobility - pain scales - and social needs
• Evaluations consider lifestyle - culture - education level - social support - military - work - and leisure history - as well as limitations and restrictions related to age
• Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or present medical conditions
• Consultation with interdisciplinary team on very complex - specialty patients is expected and appropriate
• Evidence based outcome measures should be used on all evaluations and reassessments
• Evaluations address rehabilitation potential - behavior - motor skills - and psychosocial development at an age appropriate level
• Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation
• Assess independent living skills to include use of community resources - home management time management and safety in the home and community
• self-awareness - interpersonal and social skills
• stress management role development - self-sufficiency - and wellness
• Knowledge of physical - occupational cognitive - and psychosocial functional deficits
• Responsible for providing comprehensive patient care for O.T
• patients Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective - measurable goals - and timelines for completion
• These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient - family and/or other stakeholder input and may include consultation with more experienced therapists
• 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
• Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals
• Documents treatment progression and/or modifications according to departmental and Medical Center standards
• Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories or treatment of Occupational Therapy and their proper application using therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures
• Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment and initiates effective action immediately
• Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharges - coordinating referrals as needed
• Updates FIM/FSOD database when covering CLC as well as monitoring updating MOS requirements
• Administrative Functions Provides and contributes to the advancement of knowledge and techniques related to Occupational Therapy and other related topics
• Identifies - collects - and analyzes appropriate patient care information to provide a database for performance improvement activities within the VA system
• Investigates current concepts and scientific principles in Occupational Therapy practice through literature reviews - study of current research - clinical practice - and through attendance at continuing education courses and conferences
• Work Schedule: M-F
• 8:00AM- 4:30PM Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 52490-A - 52491-A - 52492-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized