This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-12. GS-9 Your primary responsibility is to plan and direct patient-specific occupational therapy programs. These programs are primarily conducted at the Audie L. Murphy campus, but you may also undertake temporary assignments throughout the STVHCS as directed by the therapy supervisor. As an entry-level occupational therapist, your duties involve evaluating patients and developing comprehensive treatment procedures to enhance or restore their function through the use of physical modalities, therapeutic exercise, prostheses, or assistive devices. You report directly to the Therapy Supervisor. In addition to clinical responsibilities, you may perform additional assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, and contribute to administration by maintaining records, ensuring compliance with policies, and overseeing supplies and equipment. Your role also encompasses education, providing in-services training, orienting visitors and volunteers to the role of occupational therapy. You are expected to uphold high standards of customer service, recognizing and addressing the age, development, and cultural needs of patients with competence and respect. GS-11 Your duties are focused on providing assessment and treatment intervention as an entry-level professional. You must be licensed to practice at this grade level. Your primary responsibility is to deliver professional and independent occupational therapy services in the designated area, primarily at the Audie L. Murphy campus, but you may also be assigned to temporary duties within STVHCS as directed by the therapy supervisor. PTs at this level may take on general assignments in various occupational therapy program areas where advanced specialized knowledge is not consistently required due to patient population and facility complexity. Ancillary assignments, including program management duties, may be assigned occasionally, typically comprising less than 25% of your duty time. Your responsibilities include assigning, managing, and evaluating subordinate staff, evaluating complex cases referred by physicians, independently planning comprehensive programs, reviewing patient documentation, and effectively collaborating with healthcare providers for patient care coordination. Additionally, you engage in administrative tasks such as maintaining records, adhering to STVHCS policies, ensuring quality assurance through data evaluation, and managing supplies and equipment. Your educational responsibilities encompass supervising and training occupational therapy students and volunteers, providing in-services training, and ensuring the maintenance of professional state licensure and competency through continuing education. You are expected to excel in customer service, including effective communication with patients, visitors, coworkers, and suppliers, as well as monitoring customer satisfaction and addressing inquiries and complaints promptly. Moreover, you must recognize and cater to the age, development, and cultural needs of patients, considering various age-specific competencies and cultural competence, and avoiding discrimination in all interactions. GS-12 Independently assess patients primarily in the Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Careline (SCI/D) at Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital, but assignments can vary based on your supervisor's direction. Duties involve evaluating and treating patients with spinal cord injuries, amputations, and neuromusculoskeletal issues. You plan, execute, and manage comprehensive treatment procedures to enhance or restore patients' function, including physical modalities, therapeutic exercise, education, and assistive devices. You report to the Therapy Supervisor in the SCI/D Careline. You may provide services away from the main facility, such as the SCI home care program and community reintegration therapy, and assess patient homes for safety and DME needs. You participate in offsite outings, contribute to patient conferences and team meetings, and assist with discharge planning. You supervise and train students and volunteers, offering guidance and in-services. Customer service is vital, requiring clear and courteous communication, ongoing satisfaction monitoring, and prompt responses. You also consider the age, development, and cultural needs of patients, ensuring appropriate care and support across different age groups. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: SCI OT (GS-09), SCI OT (GS-11), SCI OT (GS-12) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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: The individual 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. 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. 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). Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements when possessing a full, current, and unrestricted state license, to practice occupational therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. 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. 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). Occupational Therapist, GS-9: Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11: Education, Experience, and 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 (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education 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. Preferred Experience: Certified Hand Therapist Extensive experience and knowledge of Spinal Cord Injury patients, experience with orthopedic hand clinic, working with a) tendon and nerve transfers and, b) nerve and contracture release Extensive preoperative rehabilitation and daily post operative care Extensive experience and knowledge of Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Disorders and/or Spinal Cord Injury patients - for acute and subacute rehabilitation Experience with outpatient post procedure rehabilitation protocols Hand Orthosis, evaluation for braces both acute and chronic injuries Shoulder preservation rehabilitation and sports injuries Outpatient adaptations for paraolympic or recreational athletes References: VA Handbook 5005/127, PART II, APPENDIX G14, December 13, 2019 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: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Straight pulling (1/2 hours), Pushing (1/2 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (1/2 hours), Standing (1/2 hours), Crawling (1/2 hours), Kneeling (1/2 hours), Repeated bending (1 hour), Climbing, legs only (1/2 hours), Climbing, use of legs and arms, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Specific visual requirement (specify) Corrective lenses okay, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), 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.

If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in 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 Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]