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

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT to establish an applicant pool to fill vacancies more quickly as they occur. Eligible applications will be reviewed for consideration as vacancies occur, but no sooner than 15 business days after the opening date of the announcement. Incumbent must have knowledge of occupational therapy techniques to perform functions associated within the occupation therapy scope of practice at Columbia VA Health Care System (CVAHCS) and/or CVAHCS Outpatient clinics. Duties include, but are not limited to: Performs evaluation appropriate to the patient's functional, physical and/or psycho-social status to establish a baseline level of functioning. Develops and carries out OT treatment plans with individuals and/or groups of patients to meet individual rehabilitation objectives. Treatment is provided in accordance with age and population specific standards. Has primary responsibility for planning, revising and implementing treatment programs based upon initial and interim evaluations. Documents patients progress in accordance with established policies and timelines. Provides appropriate adaptive or assistive equipment and/ or upper extremity support as needed. Adapts activities and environment to improve patients' function, safety and quality of life. Educates patients, caregivers and other staff in purposes and procedures for adaptations. Attends and actively participates in conferences, rounds, etc. as part of an interdisciplinary team. Maintains clinic and equipment in a safe and orderly manner in accordance with safety and infection control policies, Joint Commission/CARF regulations and other relevant regulatory policies. Functions autonomously in carrying out patient education, specialized treatments, and applying Coordinates scheduling of patients with appropriate personnel for follow-up treatment sessions. Schedules his/her patients for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for family conference. Maintains accurate records, attendance, progress, and final disposition, and submits necessary monthly and quarterly information in a timely and accurate manner, Incumbent attends and participates in all departmental staff meetings and training session. Incumbent plans and presents in-service education programs, when requested, to the OT section, PM&R staff, and other services, as appropriate. Works independently. He/she is responsible for the occupational therapy programs and clinics to which he/she is assigned and confers with supervisor at periodic intervals for the purpose of keeping him/her informed of problem cases, workload, and progress reports. Reviews the objectives and goals of the student's affiliations and plans learning experiences accordingly; incumbent evaluates each student's performance and participates in school/medical center conferences regarding students or curriculum. Plans and administers a full range of evaluations, treatment techniques and modalities for adult and geriatric adult patients to accomplish the therapeutic objective of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Attends staff meetings; represents the occupational therapy section at any appropriate intradisciplinary team meetings and prepares and presents in-service training on occupational therapy, as assigned. Supervises assigned occupational therapy students by fulfilling all American Occupational Therapy Association training requirements, provides accurate evaluation of student performance, and schedules elective training experiences for the student. Works with and/or supervises therapy assistants, therapy aids, and volunteers assigned to the occupational therapy section. Work Schedule: Sunday - Thursday, 8:00am - 4:30pm (may change based on agency needs) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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

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 Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education/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 the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. OR c. Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. 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.(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. 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-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. Preferred Experience: In-patient acute and long term care experience. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14 dated December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing, walking, kneeling, and sitting. Work involves constant bending, lifting 15-44 lbs., and twisting. The work requires pushing wheelchair and stretcher patients. Positioning patients who are unconscious or disabled requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions. Operation of a motor vehicle is required.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: Diedra Sutton
• Phone: 803-856-0312
• Email: [email protected]