The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant will work in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Tulsa, Oklahoma VA Clinic to provide treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction. The duties and responsibilities are performed within the medical center, outpatient clinics and patient care areas associated with PM&RS.

Duties

The duties of the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant include, but are not limited to the following: Assists with the screening, evaluation, and re-evaluation process by implementing specifically, delegated assessments for which competency has been established and by providing verbal or written reports of observations and client capacities to the Occupational Therapist. Assists with Mobility Clinic. Receives and interprets instructions from the Occupational Therapist. Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, and problem-solving skills, to maximize client's functional status. Takes responsibility for the execution of regular and highly specialized treatments of patients. Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. Provides education to clients, caregivers, and family regarding treatment interventions (example: adaptive equipment, approaches, environmental set-up, etc.) and in safe operation and maintenance of home equipment. Demonstrates an understanding of the range of treatment and skills needed for all adult patients including geriatric patients related to physical limitations, unique psychological needs, and age associated illnesses and conditions. Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment. Administers thermos-therapy, hydrotherapy, hot packs, electrical stimulation, TENS, diathermy, ultrasound, traction and exercises as indicated by an Occupational Therapist. Administers therapeutic exercise, teaches transfer activities, mobility exercises and gait training to a wide variety of disabilities and diagnoses. Selects, adapts, and/or fit assistive devices in accordance with rehabilitation goals. Contributes to the discontinuation or transition plan by providing information and documentation to the supervising Occupational Therapist related to the client's needs, goals, performance, and appropriate follow-up resources. Completes appropriately timed re-evaluations for the patients and modifies the goals and treatment plan based on the information gained by re-evaluation. Documents occupational therapy services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by VA policies and regulations. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55398O, 55399O, 55400O, 55401O Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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: Occupational Therapy Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C., Section 7403(f). Education: Associate's (or higher) degree in Occupational Therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). OR Completion of a military training program in an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program accredited by the ACOTE. Certification: Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Licensure: Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice Occupational Therapy in a State, Territory, a 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). Grade Determinations: GS-5 Grade Determinations: None beyond the basic requirements of education, certification, and licensure. Occupational Therapy Assistants at this grade level serve in an entry level and developmental position under the direct clinical direction and partnership of an Occupational Therapist. GS-6 Grade Determinations: One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must also demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) below: Knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy practice. Knowledge of basic group techniques and interpersonal communication. Skill in written communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. Skill in oral communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. Ability to assist in the development of treatment goals/objectives. Ability to implement a patient care plan incorporating activity analysis theory. GS-7 Grade Determinations: One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): Skill in promoting occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas. Ability to perform in depth chart review to identify treatment goals and implement treatment plans. Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients. Ability to provide multi-step instructions to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual. GS-8 Grade Determinations: One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): Ability to implement delegated assessments. Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance. Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status. Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment. Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services. Preferred Experience: Experience in rehabilitation prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction within an inpatient and outpatient setting. References: VA Handbook 5005/145, Part II, Appendix G22 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: Occupational Therapy is considered a vocation that requires "medium" strength according to the Department of Labor. Medium work entails exerting 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and 10-25 pounds of force frequently and or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are more than those for light work. The physical demands also require standing, walking, stair climbing, squatting, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Sufficient manual dexterity to operate a computer is also required. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients during treatment, during patient transfer activities and to operate equipment. Work requires physical stamina, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.

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 Jack C Montgomery VA Medical Center 1011 Honor Heights Drive Muskogee, OK 74401 US
• Name: Phillip Narey
• Phone: 720-723-4833
• Email: [email protected]