This position is located in the Rehabilitation Section of Rehabilitation and Extended Care Integrated Clinical Community (REC ICC). The clinical specialist administers complex occupational and vision therapy to referred Veterans and works directly with Veterans whose deficits or dysfunctions are related to traumatic brain injury, neuromuscular or neurologic conditions, traumatic or disease-related vision loss to provide techniques and devices to maximize independence and quality of life.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities may include: Clinical Functions: Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out Occupational Therapy interventions for referred Veterans to restore function, compensate for dysfunction and improve quality of life and independence. Evaluates the Veterans needs for assistive devices, and adaptive appliances, recommends adjustments for prosthetic/orthotic devices and makes minor adjustments to obtain maximal functional benefits. Schedules Veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team. Serves as consultant for other rehabilitation therapists regarding the delivery of Occupational Therapy services. Works closely with Optometry service, the VIST Coordinator position, and specialty interdisciplinary teams to identify Veterans who would benefit from services. Continues to maintain and learn advanced skills in this area by attending continuing education courses and training when applicable. Administrative Functions: Participates in process improvement projects at the local facility, healthcare system, VISN or national levels to improve service delivery. Provides in-services or other educational offerings to healthcare system staff. Conducts reviews for new devices or products that may be used in the care of Veterans. Maintains required supplies, reporting needed repairs, and maintaining general orderliness of clinic areas to which assigned. Provides orientation on Occupational Therapy to Medical Center employees, volunteers, and visitors on request. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Eligible. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000. 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. Education and Experience: (1). 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 AOT 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, (2). 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, (3). Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs must meet the requirements of NOTE above if they have current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of the VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G45. Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist. 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. Grandfathering Provision: Candidates 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). Physical Requirements: Must demonstrate the ability to walk, to get to other hospital locations on a daily basis. Activities including prolonged standing, repeated bending, reaching overhead, and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours during a regular shift, prolonged sitting, and moderate lifting and carrying of 15-44 pounds. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12) AND directly related to the position being filled AND one of the following: A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. Preferred Experience: ACVREP Certification and experience. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G14 Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0631. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 St Cloud VA Medical Center 4801 Veterans Drive St Cloud, MN 56303 US
• Name: Karol Alonzo
• Email: [email protected]