Position is located in the Occupational Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS), Marion VA Medical Center. The OTA provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction.

Duties

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant: GS-05: This is the entry performance level of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) requiring direct supervision and guidance from the occupational therapist. It is expected they receive guidance from more experienced staff members. Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the occupational therapist or physician. Plans and implements treatment programs and applies occupational therapy procedures to patients under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist. Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patients' status. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of occupational therapy treatment programs. Utilizes data collection and assessment techniques to monitor and capture progress of the patient/client through the plan of care. Procedures require close consultation with an occupational therapist or physician. GS-06: This is the basic performance level of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) with 6 months of experience comparable to the next lower grade level. This OTA will require guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues and requires general supervision from the Occupational Therapist. Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the occupational therapist or physician. Plans and implements treatment programs and applies occupational therapy procedures to patients under the close supervision of an occupational therapist. Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patients' status. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of occupational therapy treatment programs. Utilizes data collection and assessment techniques to monitor and capture progress of the patient/client through the plan of care. Procedures require close consultation with an occupational therapist or physician. GS-07: This OTA will require minimal guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues and requires general supervision from the Occupational Therapist. Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the occupational therapist or physician. Plans and implements treatment programs and applies occupational therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of an occupational therapist. Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patients' status. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of occupational therapy treatment programs. Utilizes data collection and assessment techniques to monitor and capture progress of the patient/client through the plan of care. This is done in consultation with an occupational therapist or physician. GS-08: This is the Full Performance Leve for the OTA. They provide treatment that provides the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical, cognitive and psychosocial dysfunction. Administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by an Occupational Therapist but must be able to carry out a general treatment plan without the direct involvement of an Occupational therapist. Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the occupational therapist or physician. Plans and implements treatment programs and applies occupational therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of an occupational therapist. Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patients' status. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of occupational therapy treatment programs. Utilizes data collection and assessment techniques to monitor and capture progress of the patient/client through the plan of care. This is done in consultation with an occupational therapist or physician. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday to Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: 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: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407. Education: Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: (1) Associate's [or higher] degree in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). II-G22-1 May 27, 2021 VA Handbook 5005/145 PART II APPENDIX G22 Or: (2) Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE. Certification: OTAs must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Licensure: OTAs must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico) or in the District of Columbia. Loss of Credential: Management officials, in collaboration with Human Resource (HR) Office staff must remove employees in this occupation who fail to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, which may result in termination of employment. Exceptions for Non-Certified or Non-Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant: OTAs who graduated from an ACOTE approved occupational therapy assistant program but do not possess the NBCOT certification and/or licensure requirements, may be appointed, pending licensure and/or NBCOT certification, on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405. (1) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). (2) OTAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure and/or certification are obtained. (3) OTAs may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OTA or OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. (4) Temporary OTA appointments may not be extended beyond two years. Failure to Obtain License: In all cases, uncertified and/or unlicensed OTAs must actively pursue meeting certification requirements and/or State prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the HR Office staff will provide the uncertified and/or unlicensed OTA the written requirements for licensure and/or certification, the date by which the license and/or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed and/or certified by the deadline. OTAs who fail to obtain a license and/or certification by the prescribed date will be removed from their OTA, GS-0636 position, which may result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision: All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as II-G22-2 May 27, 2021 VA Handbook 5005/145 PART II APPENDIX G22 described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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: GS-05: This is the entry performance level of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) requiring direct supervision and guidance from the occupational therapist. It is expected they receive guidance from more experienced staff members. GS-06: This is the basic performance level of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) with 6 months of experience comparable to the next lower grade level. This OTA will require guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues and requires general supervision from the Occupational Therapist. GS-07: This OTA will require minimal guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues and requires general supervision from the Occupational Therapist. GS-08: This is the Full Performance Leve for the OTA. They provide treatment that provides the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical, cognitive and psychosocial dysfunction. Administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by an Occupational Therapist but must be able to carry out a general treatment plan without the direct involvement of an Occupational therapist. Preferred Experience: At least 3 years of experience as an Occupational Therapy Assistant Registered/Licensed. Prior experience (at least 2 years) in care provided through Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) rehabilitation and outpatient settings. References: VA Handbook 5005/145 Part II Appendix G22 Occupational Therapy Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0636 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS8. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. or over); Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, 4 hours standing, ability for rapid mental & muscular coordinator simultaneously; working around equipment/machinery with moving parts, working with hands in water; working closely with others.

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 Marion VA Medical Center 2401 West Main Street Marion, IL 62959 US
• Name: William Mott
• Phone: (443) 540-2159
• Email: [email protected]