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Summary The Occupational Therapist (OT) is a member of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service staff. The incumbent is responsible for providing evaluations, as well as planning and administration/management of rehabilitation services for patients enrolled in Occupational Therapy at the James H. Quillen VAMC, Mountain Home, Tennessee. Responsibilities The Occupational Therapist will be charged with conducting assessments for appropriate in-home equipment and providing appropriate training for patients, families, and care providers. The OT will provide these services to patients with a wide variety of multiple, complex illnesses and/or profound disabilities. The Occupational Therapist will hold a master's degree from an accredited school of occupational therapy and maintain a valid state license in good standing. The OT may also provide training for OT students as part of a structured affiliation agreement. This position exists at the James H. Quillen VAMC. The OT performs the following major duties: The OT completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), assisting in development of a plan of care, while assessing patient's status and ascertaining patient's need for therapy services. Interviews patients and caregivers to gather information for ongoing patient assessment. Assess the goals, living skills, physical abilities, and related needs for each patient referred for in home assessment. Develop a treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning within the home or other setting, consulting with other PM&RS disciplines as indicated, and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver. Implement the treatment plan by providing direct patient care; working with Prosthetic Service to provide appropriate equipment/adaptive devices; instructing and training the veteran and caregiver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques, and equipment. The OT may also recommend community referrals. Performs ongoing assessment of patient's physical and functional status revising treatment plan and goals as clinically indicated. Administers functional outcomes measures (e.g., manual muscle test, goniometry, Functional Independence Measure, Minimum Data Set, girth measurement, vital signs). Determines patient's ongoing need for services. Identifies when patient's maximum level of function has been attained. Determines when patients have attained established goals and uses independent judgment in termination of rehabilitation services. Evaluate the need for additional services and use professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals. Coordinates intervention plans with other members of the treatment team. Serves as content expert in recommending complex and specialized medical equipment. Participates in and presents patients' needs at Special Equipment Committee in accordance with VHA directives and medical center memorandum for specialty items and patient lifts. Participates in professional and community activities. Participate in the Performance Improvement Program, including completing assessment and documentation required by performance measures applicable to the OT's role. Serve as consultant to other health professionals in the evaluation of patients with multiple and complex problems, for which highly specialized knowledge and skills are required. Participate in interdisciplinary team conferences in person, by telephone or through electronic mail exchanges. Attends and participated in PM&RS monthly meetings and other meetings as assigned by Clinical Rehab Manager and/or Chief, PM&RS. Work Schedule: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday Telework: May be authorized for Adhoc Telework Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61177-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Position requires current valid state issued Driver's License. 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. Education and/or Experience. 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. 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 English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist, GS-12 (1) Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. (2) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the [experience above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) KSA's: Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence-based practice. Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits.(b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders.(c) Ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to independently solve complex problems related to adapting and modifying assessments, treatment plans, activities and procedures to meet the needs of patients.(d) Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).(e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. (3) Assignment. [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). 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). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Ability to lift, push, or pull 20-50 pound; extended times of sitting, standing, walking, working close to others as well as times of working alone. 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 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.