The Geriatric and Extended Care Service is seeking a full-time Occupational Therapist for the Home Based Primary Care Clinic in Guntersville Alabama.

Duties

The nature of the work of this position is to perform occupational therapy duties as a member of the Home Based Primary Care (H BPC) team, support the goals of the HBPC program, and to provide clinical, administrative, logistical, and regulatory expertise. The duties may include but are not limited to the following: Perform a comprehensive in-home environmental and functional assessment initially, annually, and follow-up assessments when clinically indicated Identify functional and safety problems in the home Establish appropriate treatment goals Develop, implement, and modify appropriate treatment programs designed to meet established goals Evaluate patient response to treatment and modify the treatment plan to provide optimum therapeutic effect Teach caregivers proper techniques for assisting Veterans with functional mobility in the home (transfers, ambulation, etc.) Conduct follow-up assessments of patients admitted to HBPC, as appropriate Evaluate Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental ADLS (IADLs), education, work, play/leisure, and social participation Collaborates with the team physician for consultation with other rehabilitation services. Evaluate the patient's home, on admission and annually and as clinically indicated, to identify the need for structural modifications and adaptive equipment to improve the safety and accessibility of the home environment Determine the need for durable medical equipment (DME), order the equipment, and justify special requests Teach the Veteran and/or caregiver(s) to safely use and maintain the DME devices in the home, and then monitor for safe use Report home medical equipment problems and facilitate repair or replacement of DME via the Prosthetics Department. Teach body mechanics to the patient and caregiver to minimize risk of injury Establish a therapeutic program for patients and caregivers to maximize or maintain the patient's functional status and monitor the response Establish and maintain contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the medical center and at the VISN level. Participate in the development of the individual plan of care at interdisciplinary care meetings for assigned panel of patients. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS516 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. 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. 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. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. 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: GS12 Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled and candidates must demonstrate 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. Preferred Experience: Experience on an interdisciplinary team. Home Health background. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44pounds), Heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (2 hours), Standing (8 hours), Repeated bending (4 hours), Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Hearing (aid permitted), and Mental & Emotional Stability.

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 Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: Kara Wanner
• Email: [email protected]