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Summary The incumbent serves as a Licensed Occupational Therapist under Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, located at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. The incumbent provides professional, independent occupational therapy services in the assigned area. This assignment also carries responsibility for supervising and coordinating student and staff-based education in OT. Responsibilities The Occupational Therapy Education Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the occupational therapy fieldwork education program. In addition to this assignment, he/she will be the co-coordinator for any established or pending Fellowship programs and the undergraduate/graduate training programs to include: coordination and supervision of Interns, Fellows, students, shadows, staff education, and volunteers that rotate through all settings associated with the occupational therapy section. This includes but is not limited to: full and part time undergraduate students, OTD, DOT, MOT and OTA students from local Universities and Colleges, Medical Students, Residents and Physiatry Fellows that rotate through the Section. The Education Coordinator will also hold the obligation to work with occupational therapy staff to identify additional opportunities for Fellowship Programs and to take all necessary steps to ensure these Fellowships are brought to fruition if possible. Duties of this position include clinical and education coordinator administrative duties such as: uses evidence-based practices to review incoming referrals for appropriateness and independently evaluates patient's problems to determine their occupational therapy needs using standard tests and measurements adapting and modifying treatment plans to meet the needs of patients. evaluates for adaptive and orthotic devices, to include wheelchairs, available by special order and/or through Prosthetics Service to meet the individual patient's needs. The incumbent demonstrates the ability to procure, fabricate, adjust, and adapt equipment for activities of daily living. plans a treatment program with measurable goals, based on evaluative findings and within the boundaries of the individual prescription. Incumbent modifies the program according to changing patient needs and terminates the treatment program when all goals have been met. oversees compliance with the credentialing body for the Fellowship (VA OT Fellowship program) and consults with the PM&RS Service Chief, OT Section Chief, and Administrative Officer, as needed. Responsible for coordinating the administration of clinical training programs for OT Fellows, students/interns/trainees, OT assistant students, and any other students that rotate through the OT Section across the Bay Pines Healthcare System. Establishes, negotiates, and maintains affiliation agreements with accredited OT and OT Assistant Programs. Communicates with the academic coordinator of clinical education at the collaborating education institutions. Communicate with students and Human Resources prior to student arrival to make appropriate arrangements and facilitate adequate communication between students and their clinical instructors. Facilitates student orientation including coordination Assists with monitoring of student progress and problem solving as needed with the student, clinical instructor or ACCE. Coordinates with national lead for stipends (Fellowship Program) Management of staff clinical education opportunities and clinic-sponsored continuing clinical education Preferred experience: AOTA certified Fieldwork Educator Experience as a Level 2 Fieldwork mentor Strong communication skills and organizational skills Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21094F / Occupational Therapist 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. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Applicants must meet the requirements by the closing date of this announcement 10/14/2025. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Language Proficiency. Occupational Therapists must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education and/or Experience - Documentation REQUIRED. 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 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. Transcripts are required to be submitted with application. NOTE: 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 National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an OT. Valid active Certification is required to be submitted with application. Exception. There is no exception at this grade level. 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. Valid active licensure is required to be submitted with application. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to this position. AND Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs on applicant's resume: (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training, or education for internal and external stakeholders. (b) Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, and balance responsibilities. (c) Ability to articulate and communicate the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, and objectives; as well as provide direction on work methods, practices and procedures in administration and/or education methodologies. (d) Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work, evaluate the program to ensure that methods, deadlines and quality have been met, and ensure adjustments to the work process are in accordance with priorities. (e) Ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs within a concentrated field or specialty area, such as amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, student clinical education/residency programming, polytrauma/traumatic or brain injury. (f) Ability to effectively motivate and manage a clinical staff with widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view. Assignment. Occupational therapy program coordinators in this assignment evaluate, plan and direct a program to ensure proper coordination of care within the local facility inclusive of regional/national stakeholders such as The Joint Commission, Universities, AOTA, and the VHA, Office of Academic Affiliation as appropriate. The OT program coordinator has full responsibility for managing the day-to-day activities of the program. They may be responsible for the coordination of assignments for multiple professionals comprising of an interdisciplinary team. These programs may include but are not limited to polytrauma/traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, amputation, caregiver support program, spinal cord injury and clinical education programs. The OT program coordinator successfully collaborates with leadership, supervisors and staff to facilitate efficient and effective delivery of patient-centered care. They develop and modify standard operating procedures and ensure procedures are applicable to the assigned program. This assignment requires administrative direction and decision making skills, but does not necessarily require formal supervisory responsibility. The OT program coordinator makes decisions that affect staff and other resources with a wide latitude of control and independent judgment. They assist with special administrative projects such as strategic planning, performance improvement, and coordination and training of interdisciplinary team members. References: Veterans Health Administration - Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard - GS-0631 (formerly VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14) - December 13, 2019. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds or over); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pushing (.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (.5 hours); standing (.5 hours); crawling (.5 hours); kneeling (.5 hours); repeated bending (1 hour); climbing, legs only (.5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement (corrective lenses okay); both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability. 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 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.