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. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: The Occupational Therapist will function in accordance with: - Federal law. - The North Carolina Occupational Therapy Practice Act published by the North Carolina Board for Occupational Therapy. - The Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapists and the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics as published by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Specific duties include: Screening / Evaluation & Re-evaluation: The Occupational Therapist is responsible for: - Screening/triaging of OT consults as needed. - Accepting and responding to OT consults in compliance with PM&RS and assigned program policies. - Evaluating the Veteran's functional, physical, and / or psycho-social abilities while considering the patient's capacities, the activities, and the environments in which these activities occur. - Evaluating the home environment with regard to safety and accessibility issues as indicated by the plan of care. - Involving the Veteran and their caregivers in the evaluation process using a patient-centered approach. - Delegating specific aspects of the screening, evaluation or re-evaluation process (using specific assessment tools, instruments or observation) to an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) who has documented competencies in performing those duties. The OT is responsible for interpreting the information provided by the OTA and integrating that information into the evaluation decision-making process. - Following defined protocols when standardized assessments are used. - Recommending/entering additional consultations (i.e., to Physical or Recreational Therapy or prosthetic services) when the needs of the Veteran can best be served by the expertise of other professionals or services. - Evaluating medical needs for orthotic, prosthetic or other adaptive equipment in accordance with medical center policies and educating the patient & family about safe & correct use. - Responding to inappropriate referrals in writing or verbally with written documentation of such. - Obtaining clarification for incomplete or unclear orders from the referring provider. - The OT may perform home or other off-site environmental assessments when appropriately justified and when training and competency in medical center policies governing home/off-site visits has been completed. Treatment: The OT is responsible for: - Reviewing pertinent patient data using the medical record and, as needed, remote data (e.g. VistaWeb, JLV and VHIE). - Developing, implementing and communicating the occupational therapy intervention plan based on the evaluation, patient goals, current best evidence and clinical reasoning. - Identifying general contraindications to treatment. - Scheduling and coordinating treatment with other VA services. Treatment may take place within the home setting or Durham VA Medical Center and may be in-person or virtual, while maintaining privacy and confidentiality as appropriate. - Providing occupational therapy treatment and caregiver training and education within the appropriate setting as indicated by the plan of care. - Communicating the treatment plan and coordinating care with the OTA as appropriate. Documentation: The OT is responsible for - Accurately documenting OT services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by the PM&RS, the assigned home based program and the Durham VA Healthcare System. - Entering consults within the PM&RS Service (i.e., to Physical or Recreational Therapy) or to the Prosthetics service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with competencies, PM&RS and Durham VAHCS policies. Discharge Planning & Interdisciplinary Coordination: The OT is responsible for: - Identifying when patients have attained maximum benefit from occupational therapy services and terminating services as appropriate. - Participating in interdisciplinary team meetings and effectively communicating the patient's response to care, occupational therapy recommendations and appropriate follow-up patient needs. - Coordinating with outside agencies, Durham VAHCS providers and programs, and / or the Primary Care Provider as appropriate when occupational therapy services are discontinued. Work Schedule: TUESDAY-SATURDAY; 8:00AM-4: 30PM Telework: Not eligible for Telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. The authority to set requirements is provided by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(14). Citizenship. 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)). Education [and/or Experience.] [(1) 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. (2) 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. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing,] must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Proficiency. [Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).] References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14 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 GS-12 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 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.] Assignment. [OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for 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. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services. OTs at this level may be given assignments in any area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time).]

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Durham VA Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27705 US
• Name: Gary Byles
• Phone: 919-286-0411 X4949
• Email: [email protected]