Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking a full-time Occupational Therapy Assistant for the VA Medical Center in Birmingham Alabama. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Duties

The Occupational Therapist Assistant is assigned to the Occupational Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Birmingham, AL, which is a Complexity Level 1a facility. This position serves the inpatients in the Acute Care area, outpatients in the walk-in and scheduled clinics at the Birmingham VA Medical Center or the Huntsville Outpatient Clinic. The duties may include but are not limited to the following: Assists with the screening, evaluation and re-evaluation process by implementing specifically delegated assessments for which competency has been established and by providing verbal or written reports of observations and client capacities to the Occupational Therapist. Receives and interprets instructions from the occupational therapist. This includes completing a thorough review of the OT evaluation, treatment plan and patient data and coordinating to ensure that any necessary clarification is obtained. Utilizes more complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills, to maximize client's functional status. Modifies and adapts therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. Identifies and recommends complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment. Contributes to the discontinuation or transition plan by providing information and documentation to the supervising occupational therapist related to the client's needs, goals, techniques and appropriate follow up resources. Schedules and coordinates treatment with other VA services. Carries out client education, specialized treatments, and applies occupational therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and AOTA documents. Knowledgeable about the client's targeted therapy outcomes and provides information and communication to the supervising OT when clients have attained established goals and/or when modifications to the treatment plan may be required. Documents OT services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by the PMRS and the Birmingham VA Medical center. Communicates needs or concerns to the supervising OT, to the interdisciplinary discharge planning team or through direct communication with personnel from other VA services. Provides education and consultation to health care practitioners about the client's treatment plan and occupational therapy scope of practice and services. Provides education to client, caregiver, family regarding treatment interventions, e.g., adaptive equipment, approaches, environmental set-up, etc. Participates in OT department and PMRS program development and quality improvement projects to include but not limited to peer reviews, committee membership and process improvement projects. Carries out ongoing personal development to ensure current knowledge in their work position and occupational therapy practice. Maintains and displays current knowledge by attending seminars, courses and actively reviewing professional journals. Assists with education of the medical center staff about the role of Occupational Therapy and services available for veterans. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS50781 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. OTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. individuals must meet at least one of the requirements: (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. 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-8 One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience and education requirements above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to implement delegated assessments. Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance. Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status. Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment. Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services. References: VA Handbook 5005/145 PART II APPENDIX G22 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: ???????Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); Straight pulling (

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 Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: Kara Wanner
• Email: [email protected]