Occupational Therapist

Summary

This position will act as an Occupational Therapist in the area of: clinical inpatient acute and subacute care, spinal cord unit, geriatrics, and outpatient programs. This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMRS) Service at the Hampton VA Medical Center. The clinical duties and responsibilities and administrative duties are carried out within the Hampton VA Medical Center and associated CBOCs and future clinics in the Southside area.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Plans, integrates, and coordinates comprehensive occupational therapy services for acute area and outpatient. Position requires advanced skill in providing occupational therapy services for clients within wide range of disabilities. Communicates with, consults, and works cooperatively with other VAMC disciplines to provide comprehensive client care. Functions as a member of the Ergonomic Team. Participates in the development of ergonomics and reasonable accommodations guidelines and interventions. Makes assessments and recommendations for adaptation of architectural barriers. Independently solves problems related to occupational therapy, adapting and modifying treatment plans, activities, and procedures as indicated by patient status. Develops new treatment programs, techniques, and /or refinements to current programs to address the needs of patients. Participates in inter-disciplinary meetings to discuss and report on assigned patients and recommends patients in need of occupational therapy services. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. License: 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-12 Occupational Therapist: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. 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. Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment). Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. Preferred Experience: Outpatient Facility Experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 45 pounds and over supporting patients.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.