This assignment carries responsibility for providing Occupational Therapy evaluation and treatment to veteran patients according to the Bay Pines Medical Center mission and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service guidelines. He/she is expected to carry out general duty assignments but primarily serves as subject matter expert in Lymphedema therapy. This position with also serve as Director for the Lymphedema Fellowship Program.

Duties

Serves as a subject matter expert in a content specialty area and as a consultant to occupational therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients with lymphedema. Lymphedema specialist is responsible for treating all all patients referred to this clinic, measure the affected extremities, recommend compression garments and established an an exercise protocol for this chronic condition. Use evidence based practices to review incoming referrals for appropriateness and independently evaluates patient's problems to determine their occupational therapy needs through the use of standard tests and measurements adapting and modifying treatment plans to meet the needs of patients. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application. Plans a treatment plan with measurable goals, based on evaluative findings and within the boundaries of the individual prescription. Independently administers standard occupational therapy treatment in the specific area to which he/she is assigned but may be rotated to other clinic areas depending on staffing/patient needs. Provide accurate written and/or verbal documentation of patient status and progress, treatment program plans and patient response to treatment. Independently schedules patient visits throughout the day allowing for adequate individual treatment time as well as necessary time for conferences and any administrative tasks. Consults with patients and their families/caregivers through patient family education, training, advising them in the nature of their medical condition and by providing home programs. Evaluate for adaptive and orthotic devices, to include wheelchairs, available by special order and/or through Prosthetics Services to meet the individual patient's needs. Preforms cognitive assessments and treatments specific to identified patient population or impairment groups. Assumes responsibility for the independent operations of the clinic. Supports and is involved in teamwork and/or team building both within the service and other services. Represents OT/PM&RS at interdisciplinary team meeting and provides in service training to hospital staff as needed. Monitors inventory, equipment and supply needs for treatment and informs supervisor of needs. Maintains and carries out all hospital and service policies and philosophies. Attending community or VHA sponsored workshops/seminars on occupational therapy related subjects. Use critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to independently solve complex problems related to the plan of care to meet the needs of patients. Demonstrates ability to conduct OT related in-services and clinical training. Fellowship Director Administrative Duties: Will spend 30% of time in duties related to Fellow education programs. Communicates all relevant information regarding organization and management of the Fellowship Program with AOTA, Facility Education ACOS, PMR Service Chief, OT Section Chief, and staff mentors. Communicates with Fellow s and Human Resources prior to Fellow arrival to make appropriate arrangements and facilitate adequate communication between Fellows and their clinical mentors across all services. Coordinates with Physical Therapy residency Program Director to provide reciprocal education and training opportunities. Facilitates Fellow orientation. Assists with monitoring of Fellow progress and problem solving as needed with the Fellow and staff mentor. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:00AM to 04:30PM Saturday/Holiday rotational basis Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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: (a) 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. AND 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. 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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met: Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist), GS-13 Education, Experience, and Licensure. In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have completion of one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Experience at the GS-12 level includes independent practice and comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. OTs demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures) AND directly related to the position being filled being filled AND one of the following: (a) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; (c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or(d) An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. (b) Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. (c) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. (e) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. (f) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. Preferred Experience: Completion of a entry level degree in Occupational Therapy with a current Certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, NBCOT A minimum of at least 2 years clinical practice as a Lymphedema Therapist Active National Certification as a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. Past or current experience collaborating with oncology services. Experience in providing clinical guidance and mentorship to OT practitioners in the Acute Care (Inpatient and Outpatient) areas. References: VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14. Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard, VHA, 12/13/2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling (0.5 hours); pushing (0.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; walking (5.3 hours); standing (5.3 hours); repeated bending (5.3 hours); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid ma be permitted).

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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.

Note: 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 CW Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard Bay Pines, FL 33744 US
• Name: Erica Smith
• Phone: 5418307459
• Email: [email protected]