Career Center

Summary

The Primary Purpose of the Position: OT serves as a member the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service under Program VII; performance level is responsible providing comprehensive assessments and interventions in an outpatient clinical setting. The Organizational Location of the Position: to provide services within the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) in multiple locations to include Tyler - Dallas - Garland - Fort Worth - and Bonham. Primary assignment location is Tyler VA OPC.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• 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
• 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
• 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
• (3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements
• (4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years - or converted to a new temporary appointment
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation
• More information: Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard Grade Determination: 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
• 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)
• Continued in Additional Information
• .

Duties

• Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual
• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties include but not limited to: Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition
• Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members
• Evaluations reflect the complexity through Occupational profile and client history
• Assessments of occupational performance
• Clinical decision-making and development of a patient centered plan of care
• Assess the patient's medical conditions - functional capabilities - limitations - restrictions - and rehabilitation potential
• Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective - measurable goals - and timeliness for completion
• Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: Therapeutic media - lifestyle coping skills and modifications - complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) - cognitive therapy and mobility training to maintain or achieve veteran's physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential
• Demonstrates a full professional understanding of selective therapeutic techniques and modalities related to the patient population being treated
• Demonstrates knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence- based practice
• Receive and triage patient referrals/consults - patient self-referrals - adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of admission criteria for each program (inpatient/outpatient) for appropriate continuum of care placement
• Schedules Veterans for treatment - considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team
• Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for family conferences
• Assists with coverage to other PM&R clinics as needed
• Maintains current concepts and trends in Occupational therapy and evidence- based medicine/rehabilitation practices through literature reviews - study of current research - clinical practice - and through attendance to continuing education courses - conferences - and in-services
• Complies with annual educational requirements: mandatory training and continuing education hours as required by facility and Occupational Therapy state board to maintain professional license/registration and competency
• Keeps comprehensive records of innovative treatment procedures for future application by other staff members
• Uses research evidence-based examination and evidence-based exercise prescription for more-effective patient care
• Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday - with occasional weekend and holiday coverage
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized for a highly qualified external applicant
• Relocation Assistance: Authorized for highly qualified employee
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53716-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized