This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (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 appointment. 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.

Duties

Incumbent is a registered/licensed Occupational Therapist under the general supervision of the Chief, Occupational Therapy section of the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Service (REC). The position requires professional/clinical skills to perform occupational therapy procedures/treatments as requested by physicians for veterans in all states of health and illness with specialization in the areas of acute care, extended care, acute and chronic psychiatry, gero-psychiatry, home-based primary care, home health, employees and active military. Independently plans, develops, and implements comprehensive and complex rehabilitation objectives for individual patients and groups of patients, engages them in activities to restore, enhance their performance and potential for independent living or maximize functions within their lifestyles. Patients will include both inpatients and outpatients with a variety of physical disabilities, injuries, or diseases including the psychosocial aspects of such and the aging process. Specialized patient populations may include hand rehabilitation, arthritis, spinal cord injury, stroke, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, repetitive motion injury, dysphagia, as well as patients with multiple medical diagnoses. Employees may be seen for work-related injury and/or work site evaluations. Programs may be in an Occupational Therapy clinic, in the veteran's home or other rehabilitation areas. Serves as a member of multiple interdisciplinary treatment teams representing Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and provides expertise regarding specialty areas. Represents Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in policy and procedure development, quality assurance monitors, and development of standards of care to ensure compliance with accrediting professional organizations. Provides on-site training and supervision of Fieldwork I and Fieldwork II level occupational therapy students and is responsible for maintaining the highest level of quality services that are consistent with the standards set forth by JCAHO and the VA. Major duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex, and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge in the area of occupational therapy. Exercises originality in solving problems, makes innovative adaptation of the patient's clinical needs and performs complex occupational therapy evaluation and treatment for patients aged 18-85+years old. Stage of life is considered and used to modify evaluation and treatment based on the needs of the individual. Assessment of the patient's learning needs is performed and patient education is tailored to meet those needs involving the patient, family and significant others in the process as appropriate. Demonstrates independent problem-solving skills that allow for frequent modification of treatment plans in response to subtle, but significant changes in the condition of the patient. The employment of innovative treatment techniques is used to obtain the best outcome. The coordination of multiple treatment approaches simultaneously is needed to accomplish complex treatment objectives. Critical assessment of treatment outcomes will be regularly performed. Evaluates patients to determine current level of functioning, such as range of motion, strength, sensory awareness, proprioception, coordination, perception, cognitive and social skills, self-care, orthotic and prosthetic needs and adaptive equipment, utilizing standardized measurements as well as complex, unique methods to interpret the physical and psychosocial problems of the patient. Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the occupational therapy treatment plan while coordinating with treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility. Makes recommendations and referrals to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of complex patient population. Responsible for the requisitioning, care, utilization and orderliness of equipment and supplies used in section. Identifies and communicates to Section Chief needs for repairs, replacement and acquisition of equipment. Has the knowledge of techniques for fabricating static and dynamic splints and braces for increasing or maintaining joint range of motion, for providing alternative procedures for self-care, treating symptomatology for improving and/or developing work skills. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Preferred Experience: Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab experience, Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), Home Health experience, Geriatrics, Knowledge in evaluation and treatment of upper extremity orthopedic conditions. Prefer a therapist who is a team player, flexible, innovator, creative, self starter and solutions oriented. 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. 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. 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 (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). English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). 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: GS-9 Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-11 Education, Experience, or Licensure. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate 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 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. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 December 13, 2019 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-9 to GS-12.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Black Hills Health Care System 113 Comanche Road Fort Meade, SD 57741 US
• Name: Megan Noe
• Phone: (724) 285-2259
• Email: [email protected]