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

Specific duties include but are not limited to: Screening / Evaluation & Re-evaluation: Screening of OT consults as needed. Accepting and responding to OT consults in compliance with PM&RS and assigned program policies. Evaluating the Veteran's functional, physical, and / or psycho-social abilities while considering the patient's capacities, the activities, and the environments in which these activities occur. Evaluating the home environment with regard to safety and accessibility issues as indicated by the plan of care. Involving the Veteran and their caregivers in the evaluation process using a patient-centered approach. Delegating specific aspects of the screening, evaluation or re-evaluation process (using specific assessment tools, instruments or observation) to an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) who has documented competencies in performing those duties. The OT is responsible for interpreting the information provided by the OTA and integrating that information into the evaluation decision-making process. Treatment: Reviewing pertinent patient data using the medical record and, as needed, remote data (e.g. VistaWeb, JLV and VHIE) Developing, implementing and communicating the occupational therapy intervention plan based on the evaluation, patient goals, current best evidence and clinical reasoning. Identifying general contraindications to treatment. Scheduling and coordinating treatment with other VA services. Treatment may take place within the home setting or Durham VA Medical Center and may be in-person or virtual, while maintaining privacy and confidentiality as appropriate. Providing occupational therapy treatment and caregiver training and education within the appropriate setting as indicated by the plan of care. Communicating the treatment plan and coordinating care with the OTA as appropriate. Discharge Planning & Interdisciplinary Coordination: Identifying when patients have attained maximum benefit from occupational therapy services and terminating services as appropriate. Participating in interdisciplinary team meetings and effectively communicating the patient's response to care, occupational therapy recommendations and appropriate follow-up patient needs. Coordinating with outside agencies, Durham VAMC providers and programs, and / or the Primary Care Provider as appropriate when occupational therapy services are discontinued. Work Schedule: Sunday-Thursday 8:00 am-4:30 pm 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 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. Education [and/or Experience (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.(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. 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. 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. 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-9 Education and Experience: (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; OR (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. GS-11 Education and Experience:(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 and Experience: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005-Part II, Appendix G70.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-9 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Occasional walking, standing, sitting, and operating a motor vehicle. Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of up to 50 pounds.

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 Durham VA Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27705 US
• Name: Natasha Bridge
• Phone: 804-854-2579
• Email: [email protected]