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Summary The James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center is recruiting for one Supervisory Occupational Therapy position assigned within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. This supervisory position is a direct report to the Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services. The incumbent is responsible for clinical supervision of a team of Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapist Assistants, and Recreation Therapists. Responsibilities The Supervisory Occupational Therapy incumbent is responsible for program development, efficient management and coordination, and performance improvement and evaluation of this program and services. He/she works collaboratively with all other relevant services in providing effective and timely comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for patients. He/she serves as the advocate for the Occupational Therapy (OT) and Recreation Therapy (RT), programs and services. The incumbent who works at this level is responsible for the development and continued operation of effective and progressive Occupational Therapy and Recreation Therapy programs. The incumbent must have the ability to use professional knowledge effectively and must possess initiative, tact, resourcefulness, and good judgement in exercising authority. This position supports Medical Center, community based outpatient clinic (CBOC) referrals, outpatient primary care referrals, inpatient referrals, urgent care referrals, home based primary care referrals, home evaluations, telehealth patients through CVT and VVC, and community living center (CLC) referrals. Major Duties and Responsibilities Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred to the PM&RS Service within the incumbent's clinical scope of practice. Provides in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. Designs, conducts, and evaluates education experiences for staff members and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, and Medical Center. The incumbent develops plans, coordinates, evaluates and integrates all program elements into a comprehensive Occupational Therapy and Recreation Therapy programs for the VA facility, including management and coordination of schedules and programs. He/she adapts schedules to meet unscheduled treatments when situation arises. The incumbent develops and/or updates and implements appropriate policies, procedures, plans, and service agreements that guide and support the Occupational Therapy and Recreation Therapy programs. The incumbent reviews work of their direct reports for professional adequacy through regular observation of work performance and through chart reviews and reports. Expected to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, treatment of disease, and care at the end of life, within traditional consult processes and within direct access delivery of care. Complete clinical notes in electronic health record systems, the incumbent documents and codes information for billing related to patient care in the VA's electronic health care record on a timely basis following VHA policies. The Supervisory Occupational Therapist communicates with other health care providers as appropriate. The incumbent mentors other PM&RS staff and trainees in both clinic and administrative functions. He/she teaches and assists in the management of complex medical conditions, the use of electronic medical records, and in familiarization with VA and Medical Center Policies and Procedures. The incumbent will have a primary duty station at the medical center, though will assume leadership and supervisory coverage at all other clinic locations to include the community and outreach, as operational needs require. May perform other duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (EST) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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: To meet this requirement, you must have obtained one of the 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. 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 if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license. 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. 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: Supervisory Occupational Therapist, GS-13 Education, Experience, and Licensure: In addition to meeting the basic requirements you must have completed one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled (OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. OTs demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services. OTs at this level may be given assignments in any area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition meeting the experience above, you must demonstrate that you meet all of the following KSAs: Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality performance, and productivity within the service. Skill in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers to include conflict resolution. Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools. 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). Preferred Experience: Greater than 7 years working as a full time clinical Occupational Therapist, with a minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience over an interdisciplinary team of 20+ healthcare professional employees in the department. Additionally, clinical experience in 2 or more settings of care (e.g. home health, acute, long term care, outpatient, short term rehab, etc.); Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Grandfathering Provision: 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. 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. 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.