This position is assigned to Patient Care Services, Long Term and Extended Care, Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) program providing occupational therapy services. This position is announced for Grade 9 through Grade 12. At the level, GS 12, full performance, the OTs practice independently and are responsible for performing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions. Grade 9 and Grade 11 duties will slightly vary.

Duties

Duties for this position include but are not limited to: The HBPC OT demonstrates knowledge of the function of rehabilitation services in the homes of Veterans enrolled in HBPC with emphasis on home safety and rehabilitation equipment necessary to maintain optimal function in the home. The incumbent has a working knowledge of evaluation and treatment procedures for patients with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. The HBPC OT independently develops, implements, and evaluates therapeutic rehabilitation programs within the framework of HBPC scope of services. The HBPC OT provides direct patient care which is appropriate to the cognitive, physical, emotional and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. The incumbent demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to plan, provide, and evaluate care appropriate to the age-related needs of patients served in the community setting. The HBPC OT uses advanced skills in providing occupational therapy services, interprets a wide variety of functional levels and provides appropriate treatment. The HBPC OT conducts rehabilitative assessments, treatment and management either directly or by referral to a community therapist. The HBPC OT communicates with patients, families, treatment team members, associates in the community, and other personnel in the Medical Center to provide comprehensive services for HBPC patients. The HBPC OT plans and schedules home visits based on consults received and the needs of the assigned HBPC patients. The HBPC OT performs a home safety assessment for each new patient admitted to HBPC. The HBPC OT contributes to the treatment plan of HBPC patients directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning within the home, consulting with other disciplines as indicated and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver. The HBPC OT implements the HBPC treatment plan by: procuring necessary equipment/adaptive devices as needed and acting as case manager coordinating with community rehabilitation services in the home to ensure appropriate training in the use of equipment The HBPC OT implements the HBPC treatment plan by: procuring necessary equipment/adaptive devices as needed and acting as case manager coordinating with community rehabilitation services in the home to ensure appropriate training in the use of equipment Work Schedule: 08:00am- 04:30pm Telework: On a limited basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. (1) 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. (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. 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 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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed 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. A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed] OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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-9Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11Education, 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. 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 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: December 13, 2019 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 GS-9 - GS 12. Physical Requirements: The position requires that the incumbent be of good health physically due to the daily activity demands of this position. At times, this position will qualify as moderate to heavy regarding physical demands due to patient handling requirements. Incumbent must be able to assist patients whose functional capabilities can be severely limited due to injury or illness. Assist may vary from close supervision to maximum assist for transfers or bed mobility activities. Any physical limitation(s) of the incumbent may endanger and predispose to injury, both the patient and therapist. Activities such as standing, walking, lifting, bending, reaching, squatting, crawling, etc., are all part of the daily physical demands

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 Corporal Michael J Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 3900 Woodland Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19104 US
• Name: Nicholas Gentile
• Email: [email protected]