Career Center

Summary

This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service - Albany VA Medical Center. This position provides support to Occupational Therapy and reports to the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Supervisor. Please note: This position is intermittent and is NOT entitled to benefits.

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:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• 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
• (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
• 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 Grade Determinations: 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
• 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
• (3) 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)
• 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 GS-12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities are primarily carried out in the patient's home - but can also include the Medical Center - nursing homes - assistive living centers - etc
• The individual holding this position - at this grade level providing clinical coverage would include independently solving complex problems related to their discipline (Occupational Therapy adapting and modifying treatment plans - activities - and procedures to meet the needs of patients with complex disabilities.) The individual would serve as a subject matter expert and a consultant in their discipline (Occupational Therapy) to other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients and serving as a mentor to students treating patients
• They are assigned to all program areas which are covered by the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department and provide professional - independent discipline specific (Occupational Therapy) services in the assigned area
• The Occupational Therapist (OT) is responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare providers referrals
• The incumbent establishes a diagnosis within the scope of occupational therapy - identifies appropriate rehabilitation intervention including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated
• Incumbent formulates a treatment plan and goals - and is responsible for implementation - modification - and documentation of treatment
• Incumbent exhibits complex clinical skills
• Incumbent schedules the patient for treatment in order to establish and achieve the maximum goal(s) for the patient
• Incumbent frequently interprets and reports to healthcare providers the reaction to treatment - which have medical significance and diagnostic value
• Incumbent functions as a core team member of clinical and or multidisciplinary team(s) for the purpose of providing total health care delivery to the patient and continuity of care by sharing ideas and exchanging pertinent information
• As a member of the treatment team - the incumbent is responsible for the development and maintenance of professional standards of occupational therapy
• Incumbent maintains a close working relationship with medical and allied health care specialists to assess patient conditions and progress and coordinate patient treatment to effect maximum rehabilitation potential
• Incumbent demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of therapeutic rehabilitation procedures
• Incumbent follows established guidelines - ethics and protocol of the Occupational Therapy Section - the PM&R Section - the department of Veterans Affairs and the profession
• Modifies techniques and develops new approaches as necessary to ensure the realization of patient treatment goals
• The incumbent uses both standard and non-standard methods and techniques for evaluating and interpreting a wide variety of patient physical and psychosocial functional levels for providing progressive treatment rationales
• Incumbent functions as a clinical preceptor for affiliating - technical and professional level students in conjunction with the Clinical Coordinator and/or Program Coordinator
• Incumbent serves as mentor for volunteer or observation students
• Incumbent provides clinical oversight of Occupational therapy assistants
• Complete Encounter information in accordance with Stratton VA Medical Center guidelines
• Using the computer system for storing and retrieving electronic documents and files - transmitting and receiving email - activating printers - requesting leave - and accessing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) Communicate and coordinate coverage for anticipated leave and communicate unanticipated leave in accordance with PM&R Service policies
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the supervisor of physical therapy and occupational therapy that are consistent with the mission of the section - care line and facility
• Performs competent written documentation of initial examinations - progress notes - and discharge summaries
• Demonstrates advanced competency in knowledge of electronic documentation and computer skills
• Entering consults within the PM&RS Service or to the Prosthetics service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with PM&RS and medical center policies
• Reviews and co-signs notes written by the COTA to whom the OT has delegated patient care
• Incumbent participates on patient care and hospital committees to establish continuity and collaboration of principle/care
• Incumbent will assist the quality assurance effort and prepares monthly reports as required to accomplish goals
• Complete all VAMC mandatory training in a timely manner
• Work Schedule: 3-4 days per week with a schedule of 8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m
• Functional Statement #: 21M93-A This position is Intermittent and is NOT entitled to benefits.