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

If you are not a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply CBST-12097913-23-LG This Occupational Therapist position provides occupational therapy services to Community Living Center inpatients with a variety of diagnoses, referred from Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line Providers, as well as from the Operative Care Line and other approved providers. The duties of the Occupational Therapist include, but are not limited to: Provides Occupational Therapy services will primarily be performed in the Occupational Therapy clinic setting, in other therapy clinics, at bedside, or in other locations in and around the MEDVAMC as deemed necessary in the care and safety of the individual patient. Evaluations include medical history, results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: activities of daily living, IADL's, range of motion, muscle strength, sensory deficits, coordination, pain, cognitive, visual perceptual, etc. Utilizes standard and non-standard methods in the evaluation and interpretation of a wide variety of physical and cognitive functional levels. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or medical conditions. Utilizes FIM in assessing all rehab patients and other in/outpatients as indicated. Following referral/consult from a physician or other approved provider, reviews the medical record and independently evaluates each patient to determine functional deficits and the best method to accomplish rehabilitation goals. Provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. Documents initial findings, treatment goals, equipment recommendations, treatment provided, patient progress, patient/family education, and discharge summary in patient's medical record in accordance with MEDVAMC, RCL policies and CARF and TJC standards. Collaborates and communicates orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. Participates in team conferences, rounds, discharge planning meetings, specialty clinics, and other assigned medical meetings. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; Occasional weekend/Holiday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-00744-F 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. Education and/or 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 ACOTE would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. OR (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. 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. Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist. (1) OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program [who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements,] but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure, may be [appointed, pending certification and/or licensure,] as a graduate OT [on a full-time temporary appointment] not-to exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. ? 7405(c)(2). (2) Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained. For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed. (3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. 4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Occupational Therapist GS-09 Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, 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. (2) 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. Occupational Therapist, GS-12 (1) 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. (2) 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: Current or previous experience with geriatrics in a long-term care setting. Current or previous experience with patients with complex impairments acute and chronic medical, surgical, orthopedic and neurological impairments, and dementia. References: VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14, Occupational Therapist Qualification Standards. 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 9 to 12 . Physical Requirements: Work requires typical physical requirements of working within a hospital facility, outpatient clinic, office, gymnasium or pool in the performance of job responsibilities. Physical exertion such as long periods of standing, or recurring and considerable crouching, bending, standing, stooping, stretching, walking or climbing/descending stairs. Employees frequently carry light items such as books, office supplies, instruments, occupational therapy supplies and other similar materials. Work also includes frequent lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 23 kilograms (i.e., under 50 pounds). May involve occasional exposure to conditions in facilities or hospital settings requiring safety precautions. Personal Protective Equipment may need to be worn in the course of your work day

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 Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: Lakayal Givens
• Phone: 318-321-1321
• Email: [email protected]