This position is assigned to the Home Base Primary Care (HBPC) Program. The Occupational Therapist performs patient evaluations, establishes treatment plans, and provides treatment for a wide variety of patient referrals in the patients home setting. The therapist performs more complex evaluations & functions more independently than a therapist at the GS-11 level. The therapist has full responsibility for planning, integrating and coordinating occupational therapy in the HBPC Program. 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 Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy 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. Exception for Graduate Occupational Therapist. 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). English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Preferred Experience: Experience in acute care or skilled nursing facility Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-9: Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, APPENDIX G14. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0631, dated December 13, 2019 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: Per VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - a physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. ["Occupational Therapist - Home Based Primary Care Clinical 1. Independently and comprehensively evaluates a wide variety of patients as appropriate for their diagnoses to determine current levels of functioning using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. Evaluations may include; activities of daily living and mobility skills, strength, range of motion, sensation, cognition, and psychological functioning to determine patient's capability to function in the home. Evaluations take into consideration the patient's gender, lifestyle, culture, social support system, vocational and/or avocational history and age-related limitations. 2. Assesses the home setting for accessibility and resources that may assist or inhibit independent and safe functioning. 3. Evaluates the need for orthotics, prosthetic or other adaptive equipment. Consults with other Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) staff as needed. 4. Identifies general contraindications to treatment. 5. Develops and carries out the occupational therapy intervention plan with patient and family or significant others as appropriate to meet individual rehabilitation objectives. The ultimate goals of treatment are to improve or maintain the patient's level of functioning and safety to assist them with remaining in their home environment. Treatment interventions may include, but are not limited to the following areas: activities of daily living, community and household tasks, range of motion, functional mobility and transfers, visual perceptual and cognitive exercises, energy conservation techniques, work simplification methods, the prescription, fabrication and training in the use of splints and adaptive equipment, recommendations for housing modifications or modifications of space, time or behavior to enhance the patient's independence and quality of life. 6. Modifies the treatment plan, therapeutic activities and interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of the patient using critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to independently solve complex problems. 7. Recognizes health or life-threatening situations and takes appropriate action in response. 8. Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and effectively communicates the patient's response to care, occupational therapy recommendations and follow-up regarding patient needs. 9. Performs all required documentation in a timely manner, meeting HBPC and The Joint Commission accreditation guidelines. 10. Acts as a resource for members of the HBPC team on matters specific to occupational therapy and as a mentor to less experienced occupational therapy staff. 11. Responsible for occupational therapy program development, refining present programs and ongoing program evaluation within HBPC. 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. The individual 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). 12. Recommends additional consultations or resources when the needs of the patient can best be served by the expertise of other professionals or services. 13. With M.D./N.P. approval, acts as liaison between HBPC and community home health agencies for patients requiring occupational, physical and/or speech therapy intervention. The HBPC Occupational Therapist provides initial referral information including patient's rehabilitation treatment diagnosis, therapies required and recommends the types of interventions needed. Follow up on referrals with review of patients' progress and communicates with patients and caregivers regarding their perceptions of the quality of services provided. Administrative 1. Acts as liaison between HBPC and Chief of Occupational Therapy, keeping both parties informed of any planned or implemented changes in policy impacting patient care. 2. Participates in interviewing candidates for Occupational Therapy positions within HBPC. 3. Provides orientation to new Occupational Therapy staff and other HBPC staff as requested. 4. Submits all written and oral reports and projects collaborate and communicated with all internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner. 5. Understands and adheres to policies and procedures for HBPC and the VA, including compliance with The Joint Commission standards. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Driving Required: Yes Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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