This Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) - HUD-VASH Specialist is assigned to Community Housing and Outreach Services (CHOS) at VA Puget Sound Health Care System located in the Puget Sound Region, in Washington State with responsibility to provide direct services for Veterans, their families and caregivers.

Duties

Incumbent administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by an Occupational Therapist, within commonly accepted standards of occupational therapy practice, which includes screening, assessments, individual, family and group visits, discharge planning, case management and other services as appropriate. Services are provided in clinic based and community based settings within the VAPSHCS catchment areas as assigned. Duties will include: Receives and interprets requests or instructions for occupational therapy procedures. Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies occupational therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of an occupational therapist. Assists with or independently renders specialized occupational therapy treatments and procedures based on the assessed needs of the patient. Assists multidisciplinary medical team in coordination of patients' treatment and discharge planning. Considers the age of the patients in designing treatment plans. Communicates with patients, families, treatment team members, and other Medical Center personnel and associates in the community to provide comprehensive services. Utilizes aides, students and volunteers to implement occupational therapy services. Maintains patient attendance records and other statistics required by the service/ section/ program assignment. Assists in policy and procedure development, the development of Quality Assurance monitors, and the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with accrediting and professional organizations. Responsible for proper supply inventory levels and clinical maintenance for occupational therapy. May oversee and assist lower graded assistants, provides clinical training of occupational therapy assistants, OT practicum students in assigned program, and volunteers. Assists in developing and upgrading student training program content. Educates other health professionals and their trainees on the role of OT services. Provides in-services and clinical training programs to staff to promote and enhance professional development. Incumbent functions as part of the Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) multidisciplinary team to improve the provision of clinical care and permanent supportive housing services for aging and disabled homeless Veterans. Provides direct patient care in community and clinic settings as assigned. Receives and interprets requests or instructions for occupational therapy procedures. Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history) to help determine functional strengths and limitations for population served, compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status and ascertaining patient's need for therapy services. Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures, with a focus on serving Aging and Disabled Veterans providing direct patient care in the community, Veterans home, and/or clinic as assigned, based on the assessed needs of the patient. Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies occupational therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of an occupational therapist. Primarily working with Veterans who are transitioning from homelessness to stable housing or who are transitioning to a higher level of supportive housing in efforts to maintain functionality that continues to support independent living. Interacts with the patient and family to explain therapy procedures, discuss treatment plans and motivate veterans and family members to comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities. Assists with or independently renders specialized occupational therapy treatments and procedures based on the assessed needs of the patient. Monitors and records veteran's condition during treatment and takes appropriate measures to sustain patient's condition during treatment and takes appropriate action when deviations in veteran's condition are recognized. Screens, advises, and assists veterans & family through the occupational therapy regimen. Adapts and adjusts occupational therapy procedures as needed. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each veteran's response to treatment. Adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual veteran's needs. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: OTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: (1) 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). (2) Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE. Certification: 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: 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-9 Occupational Therapy Assistant Education and Experience: One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position being filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate one of the following: (a) A minimum of 2000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area and completion of 60 contact hours of continuing education directly related to the specialty area. This time must be within the past five years; OR (b) Certification in specialty area; OR (c) An additional academic degree related to the healthcare mission. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities In addition to the experience and education requirements above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: a) Skill in the utilization of delegated assessment tools to assist in developing individualized treatment plan related to specialty area. b) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for specialized intervention techniques and programs. c) Ability to independently implement treatment plan using specialty skills and complex techniques. d) Ability to provide complex evidence-based interventions related to clinical specialty. e) Ability to provide consultation and mentoring to other healthcare practitioners and stakeholders in area of specialty. Preferred Experience: Candidates will be expected to perform a large part of their work in community settings. Candidates must have an unrestricted State Driver's License and be cleared upon hire to drive a government vehicle for transporting Veterans. References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G22, Qualifications for Occupational Therapy Assistants. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs), pushing, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted)mental and emotional stability, outside and inside, working closely with others, working alone, operation of a motor vehicle.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript with confer date 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 Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Michelle Yahne
• Phone: 503-220-8262 X53055
• Email: [email protected]