The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The Occupational Therapist (OT) in this position services as a core member of the VA North Texas VISN Interdisciplinary Caregiver Support Team. The team is responsible for reviewing and monitoring Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) cases and providing monitoring information to the VISN Centralized Eligibility & Appeals Team (CEAT).

Duties

Functions/Duties: Collaborative Clinical Team: The Occupational therapist will review the Veteran's medical records summary, most recent History & Physical, conduct appropriate testing, provide findings of testing and provide input to the team. The team member will present their and other OTs respective findings to the interdisciplinary team. The team will meet and compile a packet to be submitted to the VISN Centralized Eligibility & Appeals Team (CEAT). Role and Responsibility Significance: PCAFC clinical eligibility determinations require a whole health viewpoint, with critical input from multiple professions and disciplines. The role of the Occupational Therapist is significant to the success of a high-performing, high reliability CSP team, as the Occupational Therapist (OT) is trained on not only how to evaluate and individual's physical and basic mental health abilities that allow them to successfully interact with the environment through various occupations (e.g., self-care, work, and leisure activities) but are also trained on how to promote resilience and well-being through creative care solutions and use of adaptive equipment that increase independence, enhance development, and/or prevent further disability and decrease dependency on a caregiver. In additional to the invaluable understanding of the connections between functional status and personal care services, OTs are able to contribute to the whole health care planning with recommendations, for the Veteran's healthcare team to consider, that take into account services and resources that enhance Veteran's occupational engagement and performance. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm with alternative tours available. Telework: Available 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: HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment. 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 VA Policy). Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements: (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. Accreditation: 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements above if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of this appendix. 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. 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: Occupational Therapist, GS-9 Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11 Education, Experience, or Licensure. (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled, an example of the GS-09 experience include: Progressively expanding ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems; or (b) 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). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. (g) 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. Examples of the GS-11 experience includes: Practice independently and responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools; Modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools; Select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety, wellness, performance in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), education, work, play, leisure, and social participation; demonstrate an 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. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) 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. (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. (c) 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. (d) Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment). (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. Preferred Experience: Experience performing patient evaluations and clinical records to identify the Veteran need for personal assistance. Experience completing direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity. Experience providing trainings and education for staff. Mental health experience. Experience working independently References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14, Dated 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: Moderate lifting and carrying, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling, (4 hours); Pulling hand over hand (4 hours); Pushing (4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4 hours); Standing (4 hours); Kneeling (4 hours); Repeated bending ( 4 hours); Climbing, legs only; Climbing, use of legs and arms; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Hearing (aid permitted); Keyboarding (4-7 hours daily); Sitting (4 - 7 hours) daily.

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.

Note: The Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy or higher degree must be fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from: School Directory - ACOTE (acoteonline.org)

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) website: School Directory - ACOTE (acoteonline.org), you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]