The incumbent functions as Specialist Occupational Therapist for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) of the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System (VAEKHCS) at Leavenworth. This facility is a complexity level 1C, Combined Medical Center with hospitals geographically located 65 miles apart. The primary function of this position is evaluation and treatment of patients referred to Occupational Therapy.

Duties

Service will be provided primary through the VAMC, Outpatient, Inpatient and Community Living Center setting. The Occupational Therapist (OT) will perform professional work in applying highly specialized skills, concepts, and rehabilitation techniques. Occupational Therapists (OT) demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application using activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services but not limited to: Independently develops, implements, and evaluates clear therapeutic we have the dictation programs within the framework of occupational therapy. Assesses the goals, living skills, physical abilities and related needs for clientele referred for occupational therapy services. Develops a treatment plan directed towards achieving maximum level of functioning, consulting with other disciplines as indicated and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver. Implement the OT treatment plan by; providing direct patient care, procuring necessary equipment/ adaptive devices, training the patient and caregiver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques and equipment/adaptive devices fabricated splint/orthotics as needed and recommending community referrals. Reassesses client's level of functioning, revising the treatment plan as indicated and terminating treatment when objectives are met and/or the patient has achieved maximum benefit from treatment. Evaluates the needs for additional services and uses professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals to such provide service. Evaluates for at-home needs to promote the patient's safety and independence. Assist patient and caregivers in applying for HISA. Serves as content expert in ordering complex and specialized equipment. Provides care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The authority to set requirements is provided by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(14). Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)). Education and/or Experience: 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. ~OR~ 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 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. 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. 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). 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. 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). 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-9: Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11: Education, Experience, or Licensure Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. ~OR~ Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field. ~OR~ Doctorate in occupational therapy. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the [experience or education above, the candidate] must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. Occupational Therapist, 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 KSAs. In addition to the [experience above, the candidate] must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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. Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. 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. Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment). Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. The full performance level for this qualification is GS-12. Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current professional occupational therapy practice. Creditable experience can be obtained through employment as an OT. Preferred Experience: At least 3 years of experience as a registered/licensed Occupational Therapist and 2 years' experience completing acute and/or sub-acute services as an Occupational Therapist as well as experience in outpatient care. Hand Therapy, Lymphedema treatment, and/or Wheelchair/seating positioning experience. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G14 Physical Requirements: Require moving, lifting, or transfer patients to a degree that allow safe patient handling; push, pull or carry objects and equipment up to 35lbs, frequent bending/stooping, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, 4 hours standing, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordinator simultaneously, working around equipment with moving parts, working closely with others.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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 Eastern Kansas Health Care System 2200 SW Gage Blvd Topeka, KS 66622 US
• Name: Loretta Wright
• Phone: (443) 422-0571
• Email: [email protected]