Primary function is to provide direct Occupational Therapy care, by assisting in the areas of acute care, rehabilitation, long term care, home care, inpatient and outpatient settings, for physical and/or psychosocial disabilities. Independently plans, develops, and implements comprehensive, complex treatment programs for individual patients, or groups of patients, to restore or enhance performance, through OT interventions and maximize ability to function as independently as possible.

Duties

Primary Duties: Recommendation to treatment team and/or physician the patient's need for Occupational Therapy services. Demonstrates knowledge of advanced Occupational Therapy techniques to perform functions associated within the Occupational Therapy scope of practice. Able to evaluate, assess, gather, and compile data concerning the patient's social, physical, psychological, psycho-social, cognitive and vocational status to determine an appropriate treatment plan including, but not limited to: vital signs, muscular strength and endurance, joint range of motion, coordination, balance, posture, sensory impairment, functional mobility, activities of daily living, prosthetic/orthotic care and training, coping skills and interpersonal skills (encompassing, but not limited to ADL's & IADL's). Develops occupational therapy treatment plans and measurable goals with individuals, families, and/or groups of patients to meet individual patient rehabilitation objective. Develops protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory. Implements treatment plan to improve or maintain patient's functional performance. Demonstrates ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrates the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques. Evaluates prescribed treatment for effectiveness, contraindications, and to discover any secondary problems that may require additional treatment to recommend changes in treatment to the primary physician. For each patient assigned, regularly documents in patient's medical record, consistently and timely. Documentation includes: an initial evaluation, including short- and long-term goals; progress reports, including treatment provided and outcomes in terms of function; case conferencing with treatment team, modification of Occupational Therapy orders and, discharge summaries, including summary of treatment outcomes in terms of goals set, equipment and education provided. Continually evaluates patient's performance and modifies treatment according to findings, which remains in alignment of OT practice, facility procedures and PMRS policies. Determines patient's need for varied orthoses and prostheses and/or equipment. Constructs, adapts, or recommends necessary adjustments to orthotic/prosthetic devices or equipment. Evaluates proper functioning of prosthetic/orthotic devices or equipment. Educate patient in the proper use of prosthetic /orthotic devices or equipment. Designs, plans, and implements therapeutic-oriented programs, through use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of reference, therapeutic procedures, and evidenced-based research. When indicated, evaluates patient's home environment through home visits, or consultation with other health care professionals, patient, and significant others, and assists patient in solving problems associated with that environment. Participates in inter-disciplinary meetings to discuss and report on assigned patients. Continually evaluates patient caseload to determine priority and frequency of care needs. Schedules patient visits to ensure adequate time required for treatment. Maintains flexibility within the daily work schedule, to allow time for unforeseen situations, unscheduled patients, team consultations, family meetings, etc., while maintaining OT treatment plan frequency. Communicates by educating and involving patient, family, significant others, and pertinent health care staff in the patient's treatment plans, including modifications, disease process, and goals. Provides basic emergency intervention to the patient to prevent further injury or infection using established VA procedures. Evaluates prescribed treatment for effectiveness, contraindications, and to discover any secondary problems that may require additional treatment and to recommend changes in treatment to the primary physician. Plans patient's discharge and/or need for continuing outpatient treatment to enable and/or ease patient's return to the community. Continues to provide consultation and referral service to the patient, as needed, after termination of occupational therapy treatment. Requests and maintains supplies in the OT area for ongoing patient treatment. Other duties as assigned Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Duty Station: This floats between the John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks Divisions.

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. Education 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 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-9 Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-11 Education, Experience, or Licensure. (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in Occupational Therapy or a directly related field; or (c) 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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: Clinical knowledge of Occupational Therapy, with a minimum of two years direct patient care experience. Focus in acute care, rehab, and outpatient settings. Demonstrate flexibility and the ability to apply advanced OT knowledge and skills to the full range of patient populations. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 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-09 to GS-12 Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); Light carrying (under 15 pounds); Straight pulling (0.16 hours); Pushing (0.5 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (2 hours); Standing (4 hours); Repeated bending (0.5 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Specific visual requirement (read typewritten material); Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of color; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional and Mental Stability. For further information see VA Directive and Handbook 5019.Environmental

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 VA St Louis Health Care System 1 Jefferson Barracks Drive St. Louis, MO 63125 US
• Name: Harold Gotsch
• Phone: (314) 643-7995
• Email: [email protected]