The primary function is direct patient care, providing Occupational Therapy (OT) services to the Veterans receiving care at the Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center. Therapist independently evaluates, develops, and implements treatment programs for the Occupational Therapy outpatient and inpatient populations. Primary job duties will be providing OT services. He/she is directly responsible to the supervisor of the PT/OT department.

Duties

Working with patients in the areas of general medicine, surgery, pulmonary, orthopedics, extended/long term care, psychiatry, ambulatory care and acute care. Gathers pre-evaluation data, interprets medical record information, and reviews therapy prescriptions to develop and implement a treatment plan. Plans and implements the Occupational Therapy Program as required. Administration of treatment requires frequent decision making and program changes because of work demand, personnel changes and patient priorities. Consistently screens patient evaluations and prescribes treatment for appropriateness, reporting any contra-indications to the Occupational Therapy Supervisor. Monitors patient attendance/progress and reports appropriate recommendations and treatment revisions to primary physician and other staff. Periodically reviews patient's goals and functional abilities of patients referred for Occupational Therapy. Frequently selects and recommends orthotic assistive devices, and instructs the patient or caretaker in the proper use, application and care of such devices. Has professional knowledge and experience required in providing patient treatment programs that include a full range of complex procedures for acute and chronic disabilities. Most often, patients receive treatment for multiple problems, mental or physical, which places greater demand on the therapist's patience, perseverance and appraisal of treatment results. Educates and councils patients, families, and/or significant others about the disability incurred and intervention arrived or reducing the disabilities or its improved management of the remaining disability to be carried out at home. Incumbent is able to communicate, both written and oral, with a diverse range of individuals to ensure understanding regardless of each individual's learning ability. Functions as an active member of the multidisciplinary team, for the purpose of providing total health care delivery to the patient and the continuity of care by sharing ideas, exchanging pertinent information, planning treatment, and recommending the need for Occupational Therapy. Administers the Occupational Therapy training program for students and other allied health personnel who may be assigned here by universities and other VA facilities. Complies and submits statistical data regarding case load and patient treatment/attendance Reports quality assurance findings to document program effectiveness. Organizes, maintains and secures work area and equipment to provide a clean, safe and therapeutic environment. Responsible for adherence to all provisions of the Equal Opportunity Program, fire and safety codes, infection control, OSHA, equipment training, security and prevention of waste in accordance with OPM, VA regulations and established medical center guidelines. Performs other collateral duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. 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; 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 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 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 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: Occupational Therapist, GS-9: Education, Experience, or Licensure. You meet the basic requirements that are listed above. Individuals assigned at the GS-9 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems. The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently. OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists. OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed OT. 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. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of 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. Practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools. Modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. Select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety, wellness, performance in activities of daily living (ADL); and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. Require guidance with higher complexity conditions. Demonstrate an understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. Assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services. 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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. References: 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 in the range of GS-9 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work includes regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Above average agility may be desirable in defending oneself (or others) against physical attack/abuse. Work may require good physical health, normal use of arms and legs and good visual and auditory acuity

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 Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center 1 Medical Center Drive Clarksburg, WV 26301 US
• Name: Kristina Dawson
• Phone: 9166408042
• Email: [email protected]