Occupational Therapy Assistive Technology (At) Clinical Specialist

Summary
The Occupational Therapy Assistive Technology (AT) Clinical Specialist will directly report to the Occupational Therapy Section Chief.
This job is open to

• Internal to an agency
  Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency
Open to current permanent Orlando VA employees.
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Duties
The Occupational Therapy Assistive Technology (AT) Clinical Specialist is responsible for ensuring the OT AT Program runs efficiently, addresses patient access, and remain veteran centric. Since the Occupational Therapy AT Clinical Specialist is considered the subject matter expert within the organization, he/she is expected to provide education and guidance to the Rehabilitation Supervisors, OT staff, and other medical center providers. The incumbent will mainly evaluate/treat veterans in the outpatient setting. There may be occasions when the AT Clinical Specialist would need to visit other Rehabilitation sites within the system to educate and/or analyze the delivery of care to this specialty population. The OT Section Chief may also require for the AT Clinical Specialist on occasions to cover other outpatients clinics, ED, and the Community Living Center (CLC) to address specific AT needs at those sites. The Occupational Therapy Assistive Technology Specialist is also responsible for the supervision of assigned OT fieldwork/fellowship students, and volunteers that rotate through the outpatient area. Given this person is the subject matter expert in AT, it is expected that he/she participate in OT Fellowship Programs, if one is in place, as either a mentor or educator. They will also be responsible OT students as a clinical instructor as determined by his/her supervisor. It is strongly recommended that the coordinator has an Assistive Technology certification from a certifying organization with a rigorous curriculum /requirements.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 81958F
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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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
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] - Transcripts Submitted
  
  • [(1) 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: 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
    • (b) 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
    • (c) Master's Degree or higher in Occupational Therapy.
  • (2) 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-Submitted. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.]
• State Licensure-Submitted. 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.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Proficiency. [Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).]

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.]
Occupational Therapist [(Clinical Specialist)], GS-13

• Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the [GS-12 grade] level and directly related to the position being filled [and one of the following]:
  
  • [(a) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years;
  • (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA;
  • (c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or
  • (d) An additional advanced degree in a related field.]
• Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:]
  
  • (a) Knowledge of contemporary Occupational Therapy across multiple areas of practice[ ].
  • (b) [Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners.
  • (c) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization.
  • (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current Occupational Therapy theory, recent research, and practice.
  • (e) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about Occupational Therapy scope of practice for area of specialization.
  • (f) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based Occupational Therapy services and programming in area of specialization.]
• Assignment. [Clinical OT specialists at this grade level serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of Occupational Therapy that are beyond the general practice of Occupational Therapy. This individual must demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Clinical OT specialist may initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research.]

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.
Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, chars, and binders. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly, 10-25 frequently, and 20-50 pounds occasionally
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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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:
  
  • Resume
  • S...