Occupational Therapy Assistant

Summary
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking a full-time Occupational Therapy Assistant for the VA Medical Center in Birmingham Alabama.
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties
The Occupational Therapist Assistant is assigned to the Occupational Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Birmingham, AL, which is a Complexity Level 1a facility. This position serves the inpatients in the Acute Care area, outpatients in the walk-in and scheduled clinics at the Birmingham VA Medical Center or the Huntsville Outpatient Clinic.
The duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Assists with the screening, evaluation and re-evaluation process by implementing specifically delegated assessments for which competency has been established and by providing verbal or written reports of observations and client capacities to the Occupational Therapist.
• Receives and interprets instructions from the occupational therapist. This includes completing a thorough review of the OT evaluation, treatment plan and patient data and coordinating to ensure that any necessary clarification is obtained.
• Utilizes more complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills, to maximize client's functional status.
• Modifies and adapts therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities.
• Identifies and recommends complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.
• Contributes to the discontinuation or transition plan by providing information and documentation to the supervising occupational therapist related to the client's needs, goals, techniques and appropriate follow up resources.
• Schedules and coordinates treatment with other VA services.
• Carries out client education, specialized treatments, and applies Occupational Therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and AOTA documents.
• Knowledgeable about the client's targeted therapy outcomes and provides information and communication to the supervising OT when clients have attained established goals and/or when modifications to the treatment plan may be required.
• Documents OT services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by the PMRS and the Birmingham VA Medical center.
• Communicates needs or concerns to the supervising OT, to the interdisciplinary discharge planning team or through direct communication with personnel from other VA services.
• Provides education and consultation to health care practitioners about the client's treatment plan and Occupational Therapy scope of practice and services.
• Provides education to client, caregiver, family regarding treatment interventions, e.g., adaptive equipment, approaches, environmental set-up, etc.
• Participates in OT department and PMRS program development and quality improvement projects to include but not limited to peer reviews, committee membership and process improvement projects.
• Carries out ongoing personal development to ensure current knowledge in their work position and Occupational Therapy practice. Maintains and displays current knowledge by attending seminars, courses and actively reviewing professional journals.
• Assists with education of the medical center staff about the role of Occupational Therapy and services available for veterans.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: FS50781
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Tammy.Coates@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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).

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.
• OTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education. individuals must meet at least one of the requirements: (1) Associate's [or higher] degree in Occupational Therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). II-G22-1 May 27, 2021 VA Handbook 5005/145 PART II APPENDIX G22, or (2) Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE.
• Certification. OTAs must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• Licensure. OTAs must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice Occupational Therapy in a State, Territory, a 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-8
One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level.
In addition to the experience and education requirements above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to implement delegated assessments.
• Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance.
• Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status.
• Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities.
• Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.
• Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the Occupational Therapy scope of practice and services.

References: VA Handbook 5005/145 PART II APPENDIX G22
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.
Physical Requirements: ???????Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); Straight pulling (
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.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  
  • License
  • Written documentation showing passing of the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
  • Resume
  • Transcript
  
  The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
  
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • VA Form 10-2850c, Application for Associated Health Occupations
  • Written documentation showing passing of the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript
  
  Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, pl...