This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: 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 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 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. 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). 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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist), GS-13 Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled and one of the following: (a) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; (c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or (d) An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. (b) [Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. (c) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. (e) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. (f) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. Assignment. Clinical OT specialists at this grade level serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. This individual must demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Clinical OT specialist may initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research. Preferred Experience: 2 years experience working in inpatient rehab setting 2 years experience working with all levels of brain injury/TBIs 1+ years of experience working with strokes 1+ years of advanced bracing experience such as FES (Bioness) References: VA Handbook 5005/127 Part II Appendix G14 Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds or over); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pushing (.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (.5 hours); standing (.5 hours); crawling (.5 hours); kneeling (.5 hours); repeated bending (1 hour); climbing, legs only (.5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement (corrective lenses okay); both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability. ["Upon referral from a physician, evaluates patients of varying complexity to determine functional status, identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment. Demonstrates the ability to serve as a consultant for health care providers regarding the delivery of occupational therapy services to patients who have experienced multiple traumas. 2. Demonstrates advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized occupational therapy interventions and treatment modalities used in the clinical setting for veterans who have suffered multiple traumas. Independently plans and develops comprehensive occupational therapy programs to meet patients' needs. 3. Demonstrates advanced knowledge in evaluating and treating patients who have experienced limb loss, traumatic brain injuries, neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction and spinal cord injuries. Demonstrates advanced skills in performing and interpreting specialized evaluative procedures and tests. 4. Incumbent is responsible for in-depth evaluations of polytrauma patients for DME and orthotics including mobility aids, bracing and other adaptive equipment. Once the evaluation is complete, the incumbent is responsible for coordinating equipment needs with the physician and prosthetics department. Additionally, the incumbent will train the patient on the appropriate DME required for safety and functional mobility. 5. Incumbent completes the Functional Independence Measure Scale (FIM) and/or other measurement scales as requested by the Polytrauma team at admission and discharge. Also will complete interim FIM if indicated by circumstances/length of stay. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate treatment outcomes of occupational therapy interventions. 6. Incumbent must demonstrate advanced skills in teaching body mechanics to patients and caregivers to minimize risk of injury. 7. Communicates and works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care. 8. Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment available for occupational therapy treatments. B. Administration 1. Assigns and evaluates work of subordinate staff. Guides and evaluates the work of the interdisciplinary Polytrauma team as related to each patient's progress in occupational therapy. 2. Maintains procedures consistent with STVHCS policies. Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations including TJC (The Joint Commission) and CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.) 3. Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals. 4.. Maintains adequate level of supplies. 5. Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders, as necessary. 6. Other duties as assigned. C. Education 1. Supervises and trains occupational therapy students and volunteers. 2. Demonstrates the ability to teach and mentor staff in occupational therapy services, especially services required for polytrauma patients. Provides in-services and training for occupational therapy staff and other professionals, as necessary. Orients new staff members to the role of occupational therapy. 3. Maintains professional state license and competency through continuing education with completion in each biennium of 24 Continuing Education Units (CEU's) Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0730-1600, other hours may be negotiable Compressed/Flexible: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 Occupational Therapist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact: VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results