Career Center

Summary

Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides primary - mental health and specialty care in outpatient - inpatient - residential - and community settings. The CIS OT provides OT therapy program for Veterans enrolled in treatment program and this may include working with Veterans with major mental health diagnosis - cognitive impairment - active substance abuse - and physical disabilities limiting independence in self-care and living skills.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education and/or Experience: 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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)
• [No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English]
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Occupational Therapist - GS-12 Requirements: 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
• 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
• 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 ADL - 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
• They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional - independent occupational therapy services
• OTs at this level may be given assignments in any area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area
• Individuals may perform ancillary assignments - including program management duties on an occasional basis - where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time).] Preferred Experience: Prefer experience with homeless population
• Prefer case management experience
• Prefer experience with aging population
• 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 a GS-12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Duties include but limited to: CIS OT Functions as part of a multidisciplinary Team to help chronically homeless Veterans to obtain and maintain stable housing
• Incumbent provides independent occupational therapy techniques associated within the occupational therapy scope of practice
• Staff OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for performing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions
• Staff OT demonstrates 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
• Provides direct patient care as assigned delivering Occupational Therapy services according to program requirements
• Screens patients for Occupational Therapy services for appropriateness - types of services and rehabilitation potential - with the goal to maximize the Veteran's function and independence
• Independently develops and implements Occupational Therapy treatment using judgment to modify the treatment as a result of changing medical conditions
• Evaluates a wide range of patients with complex disabilities to determine level of function using standardized and non-standardized tests
• Assists multidisciplinary medical team in coordination of patient's treatment and discharge planning
• Considers the age of the patients in designing treatment plans
• Communicates with patients - families - treatment team members - and other Medical Center personnel and associates in the community to provide comprehensive services
• Utilizes aides - students - and volunteers to implement Occupational Therapy services
• Maintain appropriate program documentation required by the service/section/program assignment
• Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0800-1630 Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No Permanent Change of Station (PCS): No