Occupational Therapist

The Staff Occupational Therapist serves as an independent clinical OT responsible for evaluation and treatment of patients that have a wide variety of medical diagnoses and functional deficits seen in VASLCHCS. The Staff Occupational Therapist performs occupational therapy evaluation and treatments with Veterans with ages ranging from adult to geriatric, having a variety of disabilities.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:
  • 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.
Foreign Graduates. Graduates] of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph [3b(2)] 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.
Grade Determinations:
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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's). 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: Recent outpatient experience working with both neuro and mental health diagnoses, Adult/Geriatric population. Experience with splinting or willingness to learn.
References: VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14
The full performance level of this vacancy is 12.
Physical Requirements:
Occupational Therapy is considered a vocation that requires "medium" strength according and as defined by the Department of Labor. Medium Work entails: exerting 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Walking in urban, suburban, and rural environments from the vehicle to patients' home when indicated.
Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp, and place papers, charts, and binders.
Operating all aspects of DME, home access devices and manual and power mobility devices for the purpose of evaluating for and training patients and caregivers in their proper use.
Maintain good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment as follows: computer, laptop, cell phone, adaptive equipment, splint fabrication, and equipment assembly.Education: IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Employment Type: PART_TIME