Career Center

Summary

This position is in the PM&R(Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service) Service for VAPORHCS. VAPORHCS is a level 1 a facility that includes Portland and Vancouver in addition to the CBOC locations.

Qualifications

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))
• 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 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
• 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
• 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
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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: Occupational Therapist - GS-9 (1) Education - Experience - or Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (2) Assignments
• [Individuals assigned at the GS-9 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
• OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists
• OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed OT
• Occupational Therapist - GS-11 (1) Education - Experience - or Licensure
• (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• or (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field
• or (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy
• (2) Demonstrated [Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the [experience or education above - the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice
• (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans - including goals and methods of treatment
• (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others
• (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated
• (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients - family members - caregivers - interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing
• (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care
• (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation - reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice
• Occupational Therapist - GS-12 (1) 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
• (2) Demonstrated KSAs
• In addition to the [experience above - the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) 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
• (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders
• (c) 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
• (d) Skill in procuring - fabricating - adjusting - adapting - and modifying orthoses - splints - and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment)
• (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training
• Preferred Experience: 1 year acute care experience 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.

Duties

• 1) Provides direct patient care as assigned delivering Occupational Therapy services according to program requirements
• 2) Screens patients for Occupational Therapy services for appropriateness - types of services and rehabilitation potential
• 3) Independently develops and implements Occupational Therapy treatment using judgment to modify the treatment as a result of changing medical conditions
• 4) Evaluates a wide range of patients with complex disabilities to determine level of function using standardized and non-standardized tests
• 5) Assists multidisciplinary medical team in coordination or patient's treatment and discharge planning
• 6) Considers the age of the patients in designing treatment plans
• 7) Communicates with patients - families - treatment team members - and other Medical Center personnel and associates in the community to provide comprehensive services
• 8) Utilizes aides - students - and volunteers to implement Occupational Therapy services
• 9) Works collaboratively with the leadership to design and implement programs within PM&RS
• Work Schedule: Wed-Sun
• 8:30am-5:00pm or Fri-Mon 7:30am-6:00pm or Weds-Sat - 7:30am-6:00pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized