The Occupational Therapist (OT) will be primarily designated to the advertised location but may be assigned based on staffing needs to provide services to any/all program areas that are covered by Rehabilitation Medicine Service. The OT who works at this level provides assessment and treatment interventions on an independent basis across the continuum of care.

Duties

Clinical Functions Evaluates patients' abilities and functional limitations, develops individualized treatment plans and administers appropriate therapy program. Documents initial plan, interim progress, and final summaries in patient's electronic record in a timely manner. Assesses need for adaptive aides, seating systems, and other major equipment. OT formulates individualized prescription for pertinent DME's and trains patients in their use. Customized devices are fabricated as necessary. Splints are fabricated for patients for corrective, supportive, or protective results. Perform home evaluations for accessibility and safety making recommendations for structural modifications. OT assesses patients' functional mobility on public transportation and in community facilities. Provides medical and functional justification to order durable medical equipment or assistive device. In some instances, the occupational therapist may have to design/modify and assist in the fabrication of assistive equipment. Communicate and coordinate with the team and other services on treatment recommendations, DME's and others. Communicates evaluation results to the patient and the treatment team. Both standard and non-standard evaluation techniques are used. Evaluations and treatments are provided in a manner which maintains patient dignity and privacy. Treatment will adhere to departmental, VAPIHCS, VHA, AOTA, CARF, The Joint Commission, and other applicable guidelines and will use the best of available modalities and equipment. OT recognizes contraindications and appropriateness of prescribed treatment, consults with the primary physician as needed, and frequently assists in referring patients that can benefit from occupational therapy services. Covers for other occupational therapists during absences in order to provide continuity of patient care. Travel may be required. Educational Functions Self-identifies their continuing educational needs, keeps abreast of advances in the field, and ensures that they provide care in accordance with current research, evidence based practice, and contemporary occupational therapy practice. Maintains an active license to practice occupational therapy Supervises and trains occupational therapy interns, practicum students, volunteers, etc. OT assists in development and upgrading of training program content. Provides orientation and training to other health care professionals as requested. Provides education and training to family members and caregivers regarding patient's functional status, performance of activities of daily living (ADL), and operation and maintenance of equipment. Attends and actively participates in section and program in-services, healthcare system educational offerings, professional conferences and workshops. Shares gained knowledge, improved methods or techniques with other OT staff. Administrative Duties Maintains patient attendance records and other required statistics required by department. Completes and maintain record keeping in accordance with Geriatrics Rehabilitation and Extended Care (GREC), VAPIHCS, VACO and VHA policies, procedures and guidelines with regard to timeliness. Completes and submits reports as requested. 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. The Ensures inventory and supplies needed for patient care are maintained and follows departmental procedures for the ordering and re-ordering of supplies Shares responsibility for clinic environment and maintenance. Writes work orders as necessary to maintain environment of care. 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. Submits requests for clinic supplies and materials. Makes suggestions for major equipment purchases for department Develops forms for treatment guidelines, data collection, or patient education. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0730-1600, possible Saturday rotation Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: You must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education and/or Experience: 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. 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. 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 degree accreditation requirements if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted 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. Creditable Experience: Experience is only creditable if it is post-graduate experience as a professional occupational therapist directly related to the duties to be performed. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to professional occupational therapy experience at the next lower level. Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist. 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. Grandfather Provision: 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 when determining the grade of candidates: 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 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 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 Preferred Experience: 3-5 years outpatient experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 Part II Appendix G14, Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard, dated December 13, 2019.I. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements/ Working Conditions: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 / Employee will need to sit at a computer to complete notes and other documents related to patient care. Employee will need to be able to stand, sit, bend knees, and push with arms and legs to provide therapy, and retrieve and work with equipment and supplies related to treatment.

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 Spark M Matsunaga Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 459 Patterson Road Honolulu, HI 96819 US
• Name: Lizbeth Torres
• Phone: (415) 221-4810 X24760
• Email: [email protected]