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Summary This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities The position is in the Occupational Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) in the VA New York Harbor Health Care System. The Occupational Therapist is a professional who utilizes the application of a goal oriented, purposeful activity in the assessment and treatment of individuals whose function is impaired by physical illness or injury, psychiatric and/or emotional disorder, congenital or developmental learning disabilities or the aging process. Responsibilities may span various program areas including clinical, administrative, and patient care across all VA New York Health Care System campuses and the community. The therapist may also provide weekend and holiday coverage, participate in Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC), and travel to other VA New York Health Care System facilities as needed, directed by the Supervisory Physical/Occupational Therapist. Major duties include but are not limited to: Clinical Functions The incumbent is a licensed occupational therapist responsible for administering comprehensive occupational therapy programs to Veterans. Key duties include evaluating and treating Veterans, creating and modifying treatment plans, carrying out complex therapeutic procedures, and employing multiple treatment approaches. The incumbent utilizes comprehensive assessment data to form treatment goals and plans, ensuring compliance with established occupational therapy protocols, ethics, and guidelines. The therapist selects and provides a range of interventions aimed at enhancing daily living activities and overall wellness. The incumbent communicates effectively with Veterans, families, and the healthcare team and involves them in the treatment process. They also stay current with the latest technology, equipment, and professional education. Additional responsibilities include assessing needs for durable medical equipment, instructing Veterans and caregivers on rehabilitation and use of assistive devices, and maintaining detailed and timely documentation. The therapist may serve as a clinical instructor and participate in specialized care programs like SCI/D, polytrauma, and cardiac rehab. They must also demonstrate knowledge related to the unique needs of various Veteran populations, including those from different war eras and with specific conditions such as PTSD, SCI, and amputations. Productivity is expected to meet VA standards, with effective use of support personnel as appropriate. Administrative Duties The incumbent is responsible for maintaining equipment and the cleanliness of the workspace, ensuring safety, infection control, and efficiency. They organize work schedules, solve problems independently, assist in modifying treatment plans, and serve as a role model for other staff members. Key responsibilities include: Assessing and managing departmental equipment and supplies. Scheduling Veterans for treatment while coordinating with the team, maintaining flexibility for unscheduled cases. Following VHA scheduling processes and appropriately delegating tasks to support staff. Complying with documentation and coding policies, demonstrating computer skills for documentation purposes. Attending mandatory meetings, training sessions, and presenting educational programs as needed. Communicating with supervisors regarding equipment issues, supplies, program improvements, and problems with Veterans or peers. Participating in the clinical education of occupational therapy students. Traveling to other facilities within the system and providing weekend and holiday coverage on a rotating basis. Assisting in planning and coordinating specialty programs. Performing all other assigned related duties. The GS-12 Occupational Therapist operates independently, reporting to the Physical/Occupational Therapy Supervisor. While the therapist may consult with other department managers, the supervisor holds primary responsibility for competency evaluation and performance reviews. Duties include managing assigned occupational therapy programs and clinics, with periodic updates to the supervisor about problem cases, workload, and progress. Performance reviews occur bi-annually through direct observation, peer review, and chart review. Competencies are evaluated annually via direct observation, chart review, peer review, testing, and continuing education review. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:Occupational Therapist/409A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements in the education and/or experience paragraph if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in the state licensure paragraph. 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. 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). 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 12/13/2019 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. Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist , GS-12 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. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) 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. 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-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program. Contact [email protected] for questions/assistance. The Occupational Therapist conducts assessments and treatment interventions based on a comprehensive understanding of occupational therapy theories, activity analysis, and therapeutic procedures. The incumbent provides professional and independent occupational therapy services as prescribed by a physician or referring clinician, performing at full performance level. 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.