The Occupational Therapist provides a wide range of Veteran services in the Occupational Therapy Section of the Extended Care/Rehab Service Line at VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines, IA.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Major duties include: The OT spends the majority of his/her time working in the specialty area providing independent examination in this environment. This individual demonstrates treatment competency that qualifies him/her to perform patient treatment procedures on a multidisciplinary team or on a specific service. Establish goals and discharge plans based on evaluation findings and planning with the treatment team, patient, family, and/or significant other. Develops and carries out occupational therapy treatment to meet the individual rehabilitation objectives. Conduct treatment interventions one on one with individuals or in group settings. Assess the need for other services and refers as necessary based on evaluation and medical history. Establish goals and discharge plans based on evaluation findings and planning with the treatment team, patient, family, and/or significant other. Develops and carries out occupational therapy treatment to meet the individual rehabilitation objectives. Conduct treatment interventions one on one with individuals or in group settings. Assess the need for other services and refers as necessary based on evaluation and medical history. Assess the need for and the patient's ability to use adaptive equipment required to increase the patient's function, independence and safety. As necessary, orders the appropriate equipment, issues it to patients, and trains them in the proper use of the device(s). Independently solves problems not covered by the manuals, adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities and procedures, without supervisory guidance, to meet complex and challenging needs of the patients in rehabilitation. This individual manages within assigned setting in an independent mode, seeking supervision only in unusual clinical or administrative conditions. Direction and advice regarding problems of treatment, effectiveness of treatment, timeliness of treatment and documentation may be offered by administrative and clinical supervisors, as appropriate. Provide patient and family education programs relating to each patient's functional strengths and weaknesses. Demonstrates a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area within the past 5 years; or completion of certification recognized by the AOTA; or completion of fellowship/residency or advanced practice area; or and additional advanced degree in related field. This individual is responsible for maintaining safe and healthy working conditions and environment for patients and staff. This individual will also advise staff regarding safety, health, infection control and welfare of both staff and patients in treatment areas. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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 (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. 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-13 Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled, which is defined as: Working 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; Collaborating and communicating orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders; Using 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; Procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment); Conducting OT related in-service and clinical training. and one of the following: (a) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; (c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or (d) An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:- Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. 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 G14The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13 Physical Requirements: 1. Reaching above shoulder 2. Use of fingers 3. Both hands required 4. Repeated bending 5. Near vision correctable @ 13" to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4 6. Moderate lifting, no >35 pounds 7. Climbing, use of arms and legs 8. Walking 9. Standing 10. Kneeling

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 Central Iowa Health Care System 3600 30th St Des Moines, IA 50310 US
• Name: Brittney Deery
• Phone: 701-239-3700 X3671
• Email: [email protected]