Career Center

Summary

This position is assigned to the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services (PMRS) at the Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta - Georgia. The incumbent of this position provides direct occupational therapy interventions & procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety - wellness - & performance in activities of daily living (ADL) - instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) - education - work - play - leisure - & social participation.

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: (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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT
• **Graduates from an approved occupational therapy program - who do not possess NBCOT and/or OT State Licensure - must be actively pursuing required credentials from the date of their appointment
• OT graduates 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).** 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
• 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-09 (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.] GS-11 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
• 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Preference to have at least 1 year of experience in OT with emphasis in Mental Health and/or TBI/Polytrauma - and/or Outpatient Orthopedics/Post-Op Rehab
• 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-09 to GS-12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Receives and interprets consults for OT procedures
• reviews medical records to assess appropriateness of the referral to OT and possible contraindications for treatment
• Complete/reviews all documentation including - but not limited to consultations - evaluations - treatment notes - standardized and non-standardized assessments
• Devises methods of obtaining and evaluating data to determine the effectiveness of treatment outcome measures and identify consistent qualities of successful and failed treatment(s)
• Assists OT supervisor in utilization and management of available space for current - additional or expanding therapy programs
• Assists the OT Supervisor - Coordinator of PM&RS and service Chief in preparations for Joint Commission - Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) - and any other accreditation programs or inspections
• Maintains clinic areas - equipment and supplies in a clean and organized manner to promote quality treatment in a safe and functionally appropriate environment
• Documents all service contacts on a timely basis including face-to-face interviews - collateral and networking contacts - and general correspondence
• Performs education and training activities pertaining to theories - principles - and methodologies for the practice of occupational therapy
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8:00 am until 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 59872F
• 5987F
• 59874F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized