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Summary The Supervisory Occupational Therapist - Chief (Occupational Therapy Section Chief) has full supervisory and managerial responsibility for planning, directing, and coordinating all clinical and administrative aspects of the delivery of Occupational Therapy, Recreation Therapy, and Creative Arts Therapy services throughout VA Northern California Health Care System. Responsibilities This position is responsible to the Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. The Occupational Therapy Section Chief functions autonomously and is given wide latitude by the Service Chief in planning and directing all administrative, supervisory, and clinical activities in the Occupational Therapy Section. The Section Chief works directly with the CLC/CREC Medical Director, Director of Nursing, Site Managers, Service Chiefs, and Program Managers regarding technical, administrative, and procedural matters pertaining to the OT Section. Primary duty station is at the Mather Campus but travel to other sites is done as needed for personnel and program oversight and for orientation of new employees. Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Uses independent judgment in identifying the need for and in establishing new Occupational Therapy rehabilitative programs for patients with complex medical and psychological impairments. Developing the program structure with knowledge of evidence based practices and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas to guide the program staff in providing clinically appropriate treatment interventions. Developing and implementing policies and procedures to address clinical and programmatic needs, identifying staffing and training needs, equipment, supplies and space, and the coordination of Occupational Therapy with other services to deliver care in the most effective manner. Supervises, directs, and assigns work for all the physical rehab Occupational Therapists and provides clinical supervision for the Home Based Primary Care OTs and those in the Mental Health and Social Work service lines. Establishes and submits annual departmental budget requests and manages the OT Section's funds. Initiates personnel recruitment actions for all therapists within the Occupational Therapy Section. Identifies advertising sources and develops advertising text. Assumes primary responsibility for conducting interviews and for candidate selection. Makes recommendations and writes Board Actions for the Professional Medical Board for all appointments and promotions. Recommends promotions and performance ratings as a result of yearly appraisals. Evaluates employee performance and conducts annual performance appraisals. Counsels and manages performance issues and disciplinary matters in accordance with established Human Resource policies. Maintains a caseload of patients and provides Occupational Therapy services in the more complex cases. Complies with department guidelines concerning patient evaluation, treatment and documentation. Provides guidance and technical advice, support and assistance to occupational therapy personnel in applying current knowledge to individual practice setting. Regularly reviews all clinical programs in the Occupational Therapy Section to assure that current methodology is being incorporated in all clinical areas. Encourages professional development and growth in Occupational Therapy staff by promoting participation in educational courses on station and in the community. Coordinates use of tuition support funds and provides justification for continuing education programs for OT staff. Educates other facility personnel in the role and scope of Occupational Therapy services and available programs. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Qualifications Basic Requirements: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 3. 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 American Occupational Therapy Association (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 *Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted 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. 4. Certification: Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an OT. 5. 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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). All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation. Employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: They may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. If an OT who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. OTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. OTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Grade Determinations: Supervisory Occupational Therapist, GS-14 Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level and directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing clinically appropriate treatment interventions. Skill in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with a diverse range of employees, team leaders, and administrators. Ability to manage [resources] for a large, integrated service including not only occupational therapy, but also other focused rehabilitation, ancillary, or other health care services. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a diverse group of professional staff. Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into cogent and useful policy in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites. Skill in providing clinical and administrative oversight and supervision of 12 multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites. Ability to collaborate with strategic planning committees at local, VISN or national levels for new ventures addressing patient care delivery systems, facilities management, and system reorganizations. Reference: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G14, EFFECTIVE DATE: December 13, 2019. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14. Physical Requirements: Involves considerable amount of standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. Requires carrying or lifting of objects weighing up to 50 lbs., but occasionally may require work that involves pushing or lifting more than 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The position requires the employee to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or defend against emotionally ill clients. Requires use of hands for actions such as typing, simple grasping, fine manipulation, and repetitive actions. Requires the ability to frequently respond to multiple demands and priorities. Has potential for exposure to infectious diseases, hazardous waste, and chemicals. Ability to distinguish shades of colors. Ability to effectively utilize a stethoscope and distinguish breath and heart, and bowel sounds. Emotional and mental stability - ability to effectively perform the essential functions of the position and respond appropriately in emergency situations. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.