Incumbent is a licensed occupational therapist who is responsible for administering occupational therapy programs to adult and geriatric patients referred from all areas of the medical center or CBOC, but will spend at least 25% of his/her time working in the specialty area providing fymphedema treatment. EDRP - May be Authorized

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: Plans and carries out the full range of treatment using the skills and techniques for the neurological patient population who have varying degrees of complex occupational problems. The individual serves as the subject matter expert for occupational therapy for patients with neuromuscular conditions and TBI. Demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge and certification in lymphedema therapy (CLT) and the demonstrated ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to staff OTS within the department. Develop protocols and procedures for lymphedema rehabilitation based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research and practice. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups regarding occupational therapy scope of practice in Lymphedema rehabilitation. Screen potential clients as needed and evaluate referred patients to determine current level of functioning using standardized or specialized tests, interviews, observations, medical record review, and consultation with other professional staff. Develop, implement and communicate the occupational therapy intervention plan based on the evaluation, patient goals, current best evidence and clinical reasoning while considering the patient's capacities, the activities, and the environments in which these activities occur. Re-evaluate patients on a regular basis and adjust treatment plan appropriately. Follow defined protocols when standardized assessments are used. Recommending additional consultations or resources when the needs of the client can best be served by the expertise of other professional or services. Evaluate needs for adaptive equipment in accordance with medical center policies and education the patient & family about safe & correct use. Recommend, modify and /or fabricate adaptive equipment, aids or supplies as indicated. Recognized and reported any needed equipment repairs or unsafe conditions. Functions as a mentor in the area of complicated medical conditions and provides specific instruction and training to patient and family in these areas as appropriate to their roles and level of understanding. Exercises the highest degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and carrying out treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives for this population. Serve as a Clinical Instructor, to include planning, scheduling, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating the student's clinical affiliation. Incumbent is responsible for student orientation, instruction, and counseling. Monitors program operations for quality issues considering access to care, cost, effective operations and a safe and healthy environment to promote maximum patient and staff welfare. Prepares productivity and service reports as required by the Section/Service. Maintains, secures and uses equipment and supplies appropriately in the assigned program. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10771F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Yes 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: 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 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. (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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates] of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph [3b(2)] if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of this appendix. 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. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing,] must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist Clinical Specialist, GS-13 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 [and one of the following]: A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or 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 Assignment: [Clinical OT specialists at this grade level serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. This individual must demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Clinical OT specialist may initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research.] Preferred Experience: Certified Lymphedema Specialist References: VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14, Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard, dated December 13, 2019. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44pounds), Heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (2 hours), Standing (8 hours), Repeated bending (4 hours), Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Hearing (aid permitted), and Mental & Emotional Stability.

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: Todd Bellamy
• Phone: 704-638-9000 X16469
• Email: [email protected]