Summary

The Occupational Therapist (OT) position is in the Occupational Therapy section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The OT plans - implements - and coordinates Occupational Therapy services for veterans who have complex medical - neurological - orthopedic - and psychological disorders. This position is primarily based in the Outpatient Occupational Therapy clinic and may be asked to float to other areas and work occasional weekends.

Qualifications

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: (a) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist
• NOTE: (See Education Section below) or (b) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field
• NOTE: (See Education Section below) 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)
• NOTE: (See Education Section below) Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph 3b 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
• English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision (see Additional Information below) 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Occupational Therapist - GS-9 Education - Experience - or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements
• 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
• Occupational Therapist - 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
• Assignment: OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools
• The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety - wellness - performance in activities of daily living (ADL)
• and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation
• Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions
• OTs demonstrate an 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
• 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
• 7 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)
• 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-9 to GS-12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Duties may include but are not limited to: CLINICAL Evaluates patients' Occupational Profile - abilities and functional limitations using standardized tools
• develops individualized treatment plans based on evaluation findings - OT theory and evidence-based practice
• and administers appropriate Occupational Therapy program
• Demonstrates a full professional understanding of OT treatment theories and their appropriate application through the use of activity analysis - behavioral intervention - frame of references and therapeutic procedures
• Documents initial plan - interim progress - and final summaries in patient's electronic record in a timely manner
• Re-evaluates and modifies the treatment plan as needed to achieve targeted outcomes
• Assesses need for adaptive aides - seating systems - and other major equipment
• Formulates individualized prescription for pertinent DME's and trains patients in their use
• Customized devices are fabricated as necessary
• Splints are fabricated for patients for corrective - supportive - or protective results
• Performs home evaluations for accessibility and makes safety recommendations for structural modifications
• OT assesses patients' functional mobility on public transportation and in community facilities
• Provides medical and functional justification to order durable medical equipment or assistive device
• In some instances - the Occupational Therapist may have to design/modify and assist in the fabrication of assistive equipment
• Communicates and coordinates with the team and other services on treatment recommendations - DME and other devices
• Communicates evaluation results to the patient and the treatment team
• Utilizes and modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation techniques and tools
• Evaluations and treatments are provided in a manner which maintains patient dignity and privacy
• Treatment will adhere to departmental - VAPAHCS - VHA - AOTA - CARF - The Joint Commission - and other applicable guidelines and will use the best of available modalities and equipment
• Occupational therapist recognizes contraindications and appropriateness of prescribed treatment - consults with the primary physician as needed - and frequently assists in referring patients that can benefit from occupational therapy services
• Covers for other occupational therapists during absences in order to provide continuity of patient care
• Floats to other areas of the hospital system across all program areas within VHA (outpatient and inpatient) according to the clinical and operational needs of the OT department
• Oversees treatment provided by Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) if applicable
• EDUCATIONAL Supervises and trains Occupational Therapy trainees
• Assists in development and upgrading of training program content
• Provides orientation and training to other health care professionals as requested
• Provides education and training to family members and caregivers regarding patient's functional status - performance of ADLs - and operation and maintenance of equipment
• Attends and actively participates in section and program in-services - healthcare system educational offerings - professional conferences and workshops
• Shares gained knowledge - improved methods or techniques with other OT staff
• ADMINISTRATIVE Maintains patient attendance records and other required statistics required by department
• Completes and maintains record keeping in accordance with PM&R - VAPAHCS - VACO and VHA policies - procedures and guidelines with regard to timeliness
• Completes and submits reports as requested
• Shares responsibility for clinic environment and maintenance
• Writes work orders as necessary to maintain environment of care
• Submits requests for clinic supplies and materials and ensures proper supply levels are maintained for patient treatment
• Makes suggestions for major equipment purchases for department
• Develops forms for treatment guidelines - data collection - or patient education
• Schedules/organizes patient visits to ensure adequate time for treatment taking into consideration priority and frequency of care and coordinating with other members of the health care team
• Complies with OT stocked prosthetics and logistics equipment process - and maintains inventory levels accordingly
• As applicable - Occupational Therapist investigates new technology with emphasis on Occupational Therapist's specialty
• Performs other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Occupational Therapy Supervisor - Rehabilitation Supervisor - or other authorized leadership within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS)
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 08653F - 08654F - 08655F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized