Occupational Therapist - Home Based Primary care

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. Licensure: current, full, active and unrestricted licenses to practice Occupational Therapy in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Occupational Therapists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Certification. Current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist. Education and or Experience: Applicants 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 American Occupational Therapy Association (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. NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of] a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations. ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Valid State Driver's License Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist. (1) OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program [who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements,] but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state [licensure], may be [appointed, pending certification and/or licensure,] as a graduate OT [on a full-time temporary appointment] not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade GS-11: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; OR Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR Doctorate in occupational therapy. In addition to the experience and education above, you must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. GS-12 Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. In addition to the experience and education above, you 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. Preferred Experience: Two years of successful therapy practice in the field of home health care or four years of inpatient medical experience Excellent interpersonal relationship skills Ability to work on an interdisciplinary setting. Ability to work independently and to make competent clinical decisions using critical thinking skills. Sound documentation, patient assessment skills, and interdisciplinary care planning Ability to be independent in the community. Ability to prioritize responsibilities. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. This position frequently requires moderate to heavy lifting. Normally such lifting will involve but not limited to assisting with transfers or gait training of the client in the occupational therapy clinic or at the patient's bedside. This position will also involve sedentary work involving computers and communications. Incumbent physical demands of this position involve active listening, observing, evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior, walking, speaking, writing reports, writing policies and procedures along with writing clinical notes. OT in HUD VASH will also utilize office equipment such as computers, telephones, fax machines, photocopy machines and transport veterans in the GSA at times.