Career Center

Summary

The position is located in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service at the Richmond VA Medical Center campus. The Occupational Therapist practices independently and is responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools.

Qualifications

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:

• 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 (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
• 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
• Loss of Credential
• An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification - both current and in good standing -] must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-12 Education - Experience: 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005-Part II - Appendix G70.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Duties

• Major Duties: Clinical: (1) Treats patients presenting complex problems using knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidenced based practice
• Knowledge is inclusive of physical - occupational - cognitive - and psychosocial functional deficits
• (2) Consults with physicians and makes recommendations for plan of treatment
• (3) Evaluates referred patients to determine current level of functioning (e.g
• range of motion - pain - strength - movement mechanics - posture - coordination - perception - coordination - self-care - homemaking - work performance - orthotic needs) using standardized or specialized tests - interviews - observations - medical record review - and consultation with other professional staff
• Provides information to physicians for use in differential diagnosis
• (4) Develops rehabilitation objectives - in collaboration with the patient - in the form of a treatment intervention plan that includes short and long term goals
• Interventions to attain goals include but are not limited to: therapeutic exercise - muscle re-education - perceptual motor integration - fabrication and applications of orthotics and devices for daily living - instruction in compensatory techniques - and provision of patient/family education
• (5) Must 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 the veteran
• (6) Re-evaluates the patient's status on a regular basis and adjusts the treatment plan appropriately
• (7) Documents in the medical record: results of the initial evaluation: the treatment plan and goals
• progress reports that include the treatment provided - changes in the patient's functional status - and changes made to the treatment plan: a discharge summary that includes goal achievement - recommendations for home program - and patient/family education
• (8) Attends interdisciplinary team meetings
• participates with physicians - nurses - psychologists - social workers - and other disciplines in developing the patient care plan: advises the interdisciplinary team of treatment outcomes - current status of the patient - and progress toward goals
• (9) When indicated - evaluates the patient's living environment through home visits or consultation with patient - family - significant others or home health professionals to assist in solving problems associated with community re­entry
• (10) Procures - fabricates - adjusts - adapts - and modifies orthoses - splints - and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment)
• (11) Applies all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and environmental maintenance
• (12) Privileged to do consultation and procedural oversight via TeleHealth Education (1) Provides orientation/training of medical staff to the occupational therapy program
• (2) Assists in the orientation and training of new staff occupational therapists
• (3) Assists in the training of occupational therapy students - providing feedback about students' progress and performance
• (4) Keeps current of principles and techniques in the occupational therapy assessment and treatment of occupational - cognitive - and psychological functional deficits through professional literature - in-service programs - and continuing education
• (5) Provides in-service and patient education programs as indicated
• Administrative (1) Participates in developing guidelines/protocols in treatment of various diagnoses and in developing new patient care programs and evaluation of existing programs
• (2) Maintains patient records and other data required by the section - service and medical center
• (3) Submits requests for expendable supplies - additional equipment - educational material - and maintenance needs to the section supervisor
• (4) May be requested to serve on a service level committee or to represent PM&R Service on a medical center committee
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00AM- 4:30 PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Title/Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required