The incumbent Occupational Therapist for the MH RRTP (Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program) position, is assigned to work at the new MH RRTP in Jacksonville and is aligned within the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Section of Community Reintegration and Recovery Service under Mental Health Service Line, with supervision from the Program Coordinator/Dom Chief.

Duties

The Occupational Therapist, MH RRTP works at the newly established residential treatment program serving Veterans with psycho-social treatment needs. The focus is to provide occupational therapy assessments, and the planning, administration and management of clinical services and rehabilitation for MH RRTP patients. The incumbent will be utilizing a government vehicle on an as needed basis. The incumbent works closely with the VA medical center's homeless programs, residential and community care programs, and domiciliary programs, and provide occupational therapy assessments and services, as needed to patients in these programs. The incumbent provides support to the local Medical Center through the assignment of special projects and/or committees. The incumbent provides support and mentoring to occupational therapy interns, as needed. The Occupational Therapist, MH RRTP should have a working knowledge of the applications of occupational therapy, physical therapy and recreational therapy, in order to ensure appropriate rehabilitative assessments, treatment, and management, whether directly or by referral to a community therapist. Duties may include but are not limited to: Independently develop, implement, and evaluate therapeutic rehabilitation programs within the framework of CRRSL/MH RRTP and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitative Service (PM&RS). Assess the goals, living skills, physical abilities and related needs for each patient referred for assessment. Develop a treatment plan directed toward achieving maximum level of functioning and consulting with PM&RS disciplines as indicated and developing the plan in collaboration with the patient and caregiver and other members of the patient's treatment team. Implement the treatment plan by: providing direct patient care; procuring necessary equipment/adaptive devices; instructing and training the client and care giver concerning exercises, activities of daily living, rehabilitation techniques, and equipment/adaptive devices; and recommending community referrals. Reassesses patients' level of functioning and home environment, revising the treatment plan as indicated and terminating treatment objectives when met and/or when the patient has achieved maximum benefit as determined by the provider. Evaluate the need for additional services and use professional judgment to indicate consultation with other professionals to provide such services. Evaluate the home for structural or positional changes in order to promote the patients' safety and independence. Changes may include installation of ramps, bars, widening of door frames, remodeling of bathrooms and kitchens for wheelchair accessibility, changes in furniture heights, adjustment of traffic patterns, and modification of wheelchairs. Possesses proficiency in processing orders through Prosthetics Service, fully capable of processing HISA grant and other central office derivatives as it relates to the provision of Occupational Therapy and CRRSL services. Complete assessment and documentation required by performance measures applicable to the OT's role. Serve as content expert in ordering complex and specialized equipment. Maintains competencies in provision of DME equipment as directed, assists supervisor as necessary in development of new competencies emerging and new equipment. Perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis as requested by program management. Collaborate with providers throughout the CRRSL to ensure OT needs are being met, as needed and requested, throughout the program. Document initial assessments, treatment plans, and response to treatment as determined in subsequent patient home visits, telephone calls, and case management work, according to CRRSL/MH RRTP policy and JC standards. Initiate the appropriate forms for the patient to apply for Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) funding with justification. Complete VA Clinical Reminders applicable to OT's assessment. Participate in MH RRTP interdisciplinary team conferences in person, by telephone, or through electronic mail exchanges, and participate in required CRRSL staff meetings. Serve as a consultant to other health professionals in the evaluation of patients with multiple and complex problems in the home for which highly specialized knowledge and skills are required. Develop and coordinate educational materials for the caregiver of the veterans indicated by OT assessment and JC home standards. Abide by VA and HIPPA patient confidentiality regulations in documentation, consultation, and release of information. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD50317F, PD000000, and PD51170F 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: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). 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. -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 PLEASE NOTE: 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. Certification. Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (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 Language Proficiency. Occupational Therapists must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). EXCEPTIONS FOR THE GRADUATE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST: OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum 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 (2) years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. S 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 grade 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 (2) years nor converted to a new temporary appointment. In all cases, graduate OTs must actively pursue obtaining required credentials (i.e., NBCOT certification and/or state licensure) from the date of their appointment. Failure to obtain required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment. GRADE REQUIREMENTS In addition to the Basic Requirements provided in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14, paragraph 4, of the Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0631 Veterans Health Administration, the following are the grade requirements. Grade Determinations for Occupational Therapist GS-9: GS-9 Experience, Education, or Licensure: No post-educational experience, education, or licensure is required at the GS-9 level beyond the Basic Requirements. Assignment. See the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information. Grade Determinations for Occupational Therapist GS-11: GS-11 Experience, Education, AND Licensure: In addition to the Basic Requirements, an Occupational Therapist at the GS-11 level MUST be certified AND licensed, AND meet one (1) of the following GS-11 Grade Requirements: Completed a minimum of one year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; -OR- Completed three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; -OR- Possess a 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 mentoring 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. Assignment. See the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information. Grade Determinations for Occupational Therapist GS-12: GS-12 Experience, Education, AND Licensure: In addition to the Basic Requirements, an Occupational Therapist at the full performance GS-12 level MUST be certified, licensed, AND possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level 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 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. Assignment. See the referenced Qualification Standard for additional information. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 Part II Appendix G14 Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard - December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. See "Additional Information" for Preferred Experience and Physical Requirements.

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 Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1601 Southwest Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32608 US
• Name: Diana Dieringer
• Phone: 727-967-6873
• Email: [email protected]