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Summary The nature of the work of this position is to provide direct patient care by evaluating, planning, implementing, and revising evidence-based occupational therapy services and programming for patients with neurocognitive and medical co-morbidities. This position supports the goals of the Community Living Center (CLC) and provides clinical, administrative, logistical and regulatory expertise to the OT Section Chief and other OTs who perform and OT services in the CLC. Responsibilities A. Clinical 1. Evaluations: Information is gathered from the medical record, interview of the veteran and other appropriate people such as family and caregiver or other providers, observation, and standardized and non-standardized testing. The therapist evaluates: a. Areas of occupation: activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), education, work, play, leisure and social participation. b. Performance patterns: habits, routines, roles. d. Context(s): Cultural, physical environment, social, personal, spiritual, temporal. e. Activity demands: the kind of tools, space, social, timing, body functions and body structures that are required by the activity. f. Client factors: body functions and structures. These include mental, sensory, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, speech and skin functions, and the body structures that support those functions. g. Imbedded in "a" - "f" are age related, gender identity related factors and the veteran's military history. 2. Intervention: The therapist develops an intervention plan in collaboration with the veteran and family, caregiver and social support, and other team members. The plan considers the veteran's context and activity demands. The intervention plan includes objective and measurable goals with timeframes. The intervention is an accepted occupational therapy approach based on theory and evidence. The therapist carries out the plan which may include, but not be limited to: a. Activities that may optimize performance skills and client factors such as: strengthening, range of motion, fine motor tasks, and memory and attention exercises. b. Activities to optimize ability to perform areas of occupation, such as: ADL, IADL, education, work, leisure, and social interaction. c. Prescription and training in use of durable medical equipment (DME). d. Prescription of fitting and training in use of seating systems and manual and electric wheelchairs. e. Collaborating with and teaching patients' caregivers in safe use of DME and handling of patients, optimizing veteran independence and veteran and caregiver safety. f. Screen for splinting needs and apply simple static splints as needed and referral to other resources when needed. 3. Maximization of Outcomes: The therapist maximizes patient outcomes by: a. Reassessing veterans' response to treatment at regular intervals. b. Modifying the treatment plan and goals. c. Recommending appropriate discharge from OT based on response to treatment, collaboration with others and the veteran's ongoing needs. d. Making referrals to other services as appropriate. e. As appropriate, making recommendations to the multidisciplinary team for discharge from CLC or transition to a lesser or higher level of care. f. Improving the OT CLC clinical programs through contributions to program development, and ongoing program evaluation and refinements. 4. Optimization of Health and Safety: The therapist applies all health and safety procedures during patient care activities a. Follows all VA, CLC, and Rehabilitation infection control policies. b. Monitors veterans' vital statistics in response to therapeutic activities and identifies when there is an urgent or emergent medical condition. Is aware of veterans' Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) status. Has CPR certification, applies CPR and contacts emergency responders when appropriate. c. Uses all clinical equipment and supplies in the prescribed and safe manner. d. Is properly trained and credentialed for any modalities applied to patient (ie: ultrasound, functional electrical stimulation). e. Is aware of and applies basic wound management and wound healing principles, such as positioning the patient to protect areas vulnerable to skin breakdown. f. Applies proper body mechanics. g. Identifies and follows proper procedures in the case of fire, disaster, or other emergencies at VA sites and in the community. 5. Management of Clinical Information a. Records patient care activities in evaluation, reassessment, daily and discharge notes following all VA, CLC, Rehabilitation, and OT regulations. b. Communicates patient status to team members via secure and accepted practices. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am-4:30pm or as determined by supervisor. 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 trial 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 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: The following are the basic requirements and qualifications for appointment as an Occupational Therapist. United States Citizenship - Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Education and Experience Requirement - You 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. The program must be approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an occupational therapist. 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, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, the following criteria must be met to qualify for the Occupational Therapist - Clinical Specialist position at the GS-13 grade level. GS-13 Grade Level - Education, Experience, Licensure: Completion of one (1) year of experience equivalent to 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. D. An additional advanced degree in a related field. In addition to the experience requirement, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluations, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. References: VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14, dated December 13,2019. Physical Requirements: May require medium strength according to the Department of Labor. Medium work entails: exerting 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Examples of the medium strength required are as follows: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting; sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts and binders; reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly, 1-25 pounds frequently, and 20-50 pounds occasionally. 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.