Occupational Therapist

PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO ENSURE YOU SUBMIT ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.
This Job Opportunity Announcement will be used to fill a Occupational Therapist, GS-0631-9/11/12 position in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Cheyenne VA Health Care System.
This is an open & continuous announcement. It will remain open until filled. First review will be 4/3/23, then bi-weekly thereafter.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:
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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Occupational Therapist GS-9: There are no requirements beyond the basic requirements.
Occupational Therapist GS-11: 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: In addition, you must be able to demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.
• Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment.
• Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
• Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated
• Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
• 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 at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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: Two years of experience in mental health setting.
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-09 to GS-12.
Physical Requirements: The Occupational Therapist position requires standing, walking, bending, light to moderate lifting and positioning
patients. The incumbent may need to assist in the maneuvering of patients in wheelchairs and transferring of patients in a chair or bed. This position requires lifting/carrying 20 lbs (1 hour per day); sitting (2 hours per day); standing (1 hour per day); walking (2 hrs per day); bending/stooping (half an hour per day); simple grasping (four hours per day); and fine manipulation including keyboarding (1 hour per day). A fair amount of walking is also required to interact with patients and other services throughout the hospital. Incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others.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: FULL_TIME