The VIST-Occupational Therapist will be assigned to the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS). The incumbent will function as a highly independent practitioner of Occupational Therapy in the Rehabilitation Therapies department. Provides assessment and treatment of patients requiring rehabilitation services in inpatient and outpatient care settings with primary focus on veterans requiring services in VIST, ALS, and Assistive Technology (AT).

Duties

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Available - Ad-hoc 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 The duties and responsibilities center on the care management of veterans enrolled in Visually Impaired Services Team (VIST) Program. Evaluates patients, prepares treatment plans, routinely assesses results of treatment, and provides timely, clinically accurate and appropriate documentation of care provided. The incumbent Evaluates for, issues, and instructs patients and/or caregivers on use of adaptive and durable medical equipment. Serves as a consultant to other clinical and non-clinical staff within department, within the community, and to other medical center staff regarding the scope and skills of occupational therapy related to VIST, ALS, and AT. Actively participates in patient care planning and discharge rounds as necessary for their area of assignment and works effectively with interdisciplinary team members and other allied health care staff for coordination of the patient's care and needs. Provides patient care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. May travel to community based outpatient clinic(s) in response to patient and program needs. Duties of the position include, but are not limited to: Serve as primary POC for several areas including VIST, ALS, and Assistive Technology (AT). Responsible for independently providing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals (as applicable). Interprets findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and then integrates findings into the occupational therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. Work to ensure that older adults are able to age in place and participate in their communities despite visual impairment. Engage and collaborate in teams that enable working age adults with visual impairment to acquire or continue independent living and productive employment. Assesses the patient's need for adaptive devices, equipment, or modifications to ensure maximum safety and independence (including, but not limited to, hand and UE splinting, ADL equipment, special seating, custom wheelchair prescription, environment control systems and architectural barrier assessments). Provide the full range of comprehensive treatment procedures designed to improve or restore function through the use of evidence-based occupational therapy. Responds to consults for VIST services and ensures that veterans with Visual Impairment are assigned to the appropriate Primary Care Clinics with appointments scheduled in a timely manner. Plans, coordinates schedules, assists in the rearrangement of appointments, as needed, to accommodate emergencies and individual needs of VIST Veterans. Work with persons to use their remaining vision as efficiently as possible to complete ADLs. Will address the vision processing deficits that occur from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Provide interventions to improve visual attention, search and speed, and efficiency in visual processing. Work closely with optometrists and ophthalmologists to ensure that clients with TBI are able to compensate for deficits in acuity, visual field, and eye movements to complete important daily activities safely and effectively. Responsible for completing all encounters for workload (patient care) in accordance with national and local directives and guidelines, including correct CPT and diagnosis code usage. Ensures inventory and supplied needed for patient care are maintained and follows departmental procedures for the ordering and re-ordering of supplies. Consistently follows all department administrative processes, including but not limited to, scheduling, patient check-in, check-out, prosthetic item ordering, and maintains current knowledge of all applicable directives and SOPs. Attends PMRS and departmental staff meetings, and shares ideas and concerns regarding the occupational therapy department with peers and supervisor. Participates in occupational therapy program development, which may include, but is not limited to, developing or refining occupational therapy programs, evaluation forms, consult templates, policies, protocols, and directives, including the use of system redesign principles and methods as needed. Compiles and submits statistical reports, reviews of research, develops and supports QI indicators, and conducts QI audits related to occupational therapy as requested by the Supervisor, ACOS of PMRS, and/or VASNHCS. Must have and maintain a valid unrestricted driver's license. Other duties as assigned by management.

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/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. 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 of subparagraph [3b(2)] 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. Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist: OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program [who otherwise meet the minimum qualification 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 years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 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 grades 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 years, or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Licensure/Certification: 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. The human resource office will notify the uncertified/unlicensed OT in writing of the requirement to obtain certification/licensure, the date by which the certification/license must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified/licensed by the deadline date. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to obtain required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment. 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. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled;] or Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or 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: 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 monitoring 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. 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. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the [experience above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14 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: Must be able to lift 30lbs.

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 VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System 975 Kirman Avenue Reno, NV 89502 US
• Name: Mari Hartman
• Phone: 925-356-4087
• Email: [email protected]