Occupational Therapist

Summary
This Occupational Therapist is an outpatient provider for the Colorado Springs CBOC, and is a position within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, serving the Southern Colorado region of the Eastern Colorado Health Care System. This position will be partially dedicated to the VISN 19 Polytrauma Network Site Brain Rehabilitation Outpatient Program, which serves Veterans who have experienced TBI, polytrauma, and other acquired brain injuries including CVA.
This job is open to

• Federal employees - Competitive service
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Federal employees - Excepted service
  Current excepted service federal employees.
• Internal to an agency
  Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency
This position is ONLY open to current, permanent VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, VA Employees Nationwide and all other Federal Employees.
*** If you are NOT a current federal employee, please apply to the Public Announcement CBSU-12194631-24-TS.***
Videos
Duties

• Independently evaluates patients referred for Occupational Therapy, using standard & non-standard methods to assess range of motion, strength, sensation, proprioception, coordination, perception, cognition, ADL & work activities, orthotic & prosthetic needs, & need for adaptive equipment. In addition, assesses independent living skills to include use of community resources, home management, time management, & safety in the home & community; self-awareness, interpersonal & social skills; stress management; role development, self-sufficiency & wellness.
• Uses knowledge of occupational therapy principles & techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory & evidence-based practice.
• Based on evaluations & planning with patient & significant others (when appropriate), & coordination with the multidisciplinary team, establishes treatment goals, plan of care, & eventual discharge plan.
• Uses critical analysis, clinical reasoning, & creativity to independently solve complex problems related to adapting & modifying assessments, treatment plans, activities & procedures to meet the needs of patients.
• Develops & implements an occupational therapy treatment plan to meet individual rehabilitation objectives utilizing functional activities which have as their goal the improvement of patient's activities of daily living, strength, range of motion, sensation, perceptive &/or cognitive process, & may also include, therapeutic exercise, muscle reeducation, neuromuscular facilitation, perceptual motor integration, fabrication & application of devices for daily living, teaching adaptive or compensatory techniques for community re-entry & work activities & providing patient &/or caregiver education regarding disability. Patients treated have complex physical, emotional, & social problems.
• Re-evaluates patient's performance & modifies treatment as indicated. Regularly presents patient information to health care providers regarding outcomes of treatment, status & expectations. Communication is timely & follows department policies.
• Evaluates patient's living situation through outpatient visits or home visits, patient & family interview, or consultation with other health care professionals.
• Assists patient in solving problems associated with that environment.
• Initiates ordering, delivery & training in the use of patient specific adaptive equipment in a timely, efficient & accurate manner, utilizing the processes related to the procurement of prosthetic equipment.
• Has skills in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, & modifying orthoses, splints & adaptive equipment for activities of daily living.
• Carries a full patient caseload, accepting new consults as referred by the primary care provider/medical or health care provider.
• Documents initial evaluations, progress, & discharge planning in a timely, concise manner, per section documentation & consult management requirements.
• Is aware of signs & symptoms of abuse or neglect & reports to the appropriate authority & documents following facility procedures.
• Accurately maintains patient schedule & attendance. Independently manages daily workload & schedule. Schedules patients promptly to comply with clinical access guidance.
• Accurately documents for the medical record: an initial evaluation including outcome measures, assessment, & short- & long-term goals; progress reports which include description of treatment provided & outcome in terms of function; discharge summary, as necessary, which includes summary of treatment, outcome in terms of goals set, equipment provided, & education given to patient & family.
• Completes daily, weekly, & monthly statistics as required by the service.
• Assists in the development of new treatment programs, techniques, or refinements of current programs as directed by the outpatient therapy supervisor.
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings, if applicable, including chart rounds, family conferences, & discharge planning, as directed.
• Participates in outpatient therapy & PRMS staff meetings.
• Designs &/or participates in quality assurance activities as directed & has a working knowledge of departmental performance improvement projects.
• Is aware of supply inventory & submits requests to the supervisor.
• Shares in the maintenance of equipment & is aware of safety.
• Participates in CARF & Joint Commission activities to ensure compliance & accreditation.
• Tour of duty is established by supervisor & may require some flexibility to assist with coverage needs which may include weekends & holidays.
• Assist with consult management & triage.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 55984-O, 55985-O& 55986-O
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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 and/or Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
  
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.
  4. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of the appendix.

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.

• 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.
• Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.
  
  1. 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).
  2. Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained. For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed.
  3. A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed] OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.

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:
Occupational Therapist, GS-9
Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
Occupational Therapist, GS-11

• Education, Experience, or Licensure.
  
  • Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or
  • Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or
  • 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.

Occupational Therapist, GS-12

• Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to 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: 1 year Neuro or Polytrauma/mTBI experience
References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14
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....