This position is in the Occupational Therapy Section within the Rehabilitation Care Line of the VA Medical Center in Cincinnati, OH. The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) is responsible for providing treatment intervention across the continuum of care and services of the RCL, serving primarily in the acute care, Community Living Center (CLC), or general outpatient settings.

Duties

VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY The major duties of this position will include: General Skills: (1) Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone and personal communication on regular basis at VA Medical Center and VISN level. (2) Plans and implements treatment programs and applies occupational therapy procedures to patients in collaboration with the treating OT. (3) Completes comprehensive chart reviews of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status with the treatment team. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of occupational therapy treatment programs utilizing evidence-based practice. (4) Collaborates with treating OT in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long- and short-term goals. (5) Persuades and motivates Veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Independently interacts with the patient and family regarding goals for treatment and discharge plans. (6) Assists in the performance and progression of treatment procedures. Utilizes the full range of modalities including heat, cold, sound, electricity, and massage. Plans, coordinates, and administers occupational therapy treatment for prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of diverse diagnoses in all practice areas to both individuals and groups as well as the development and implementation of new programming. Fits, adjusts and instructs patients in use of orthoses, prostheses, and mobility appliances. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn activities of daily living and improve functional activities. Prepares and maintains appropriate equipment and supplies required for these treatments and monitors supply inventories to maintain appropriate levels. (7) Varies procedures or positions to adjust for Veterans' medical conditions. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials, and activities in response to each Veteran's response to treatment (e.g., vital signs). In collaboration with the treating OT, adapts the technical procedures and approaches involving new and unusual treatment and rehabilitation objectives to meet the individual Veteran's needs. Using evidence-based practice and interventions, modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the Veteran and which addresses discharge planning needs. (8) Prepares and presents written and oral reports for the ward physician, physiatrist, nursing staff, fellow therapists and all other professionals concerned with the patient's care. Participates in family and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patient's needs, report on patient's goals and progress and to assist in planning patient's treatment program. (9) Maintains a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc. Develops safe work habits to prevent injury to patients, co-workers and self. Reports to supervising therapist the need for equipment or items necessary for patient treatment. (10) Demonstrates and maintains full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment. Must ensure that the appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions are followed for any step in the use of RME (pre-cleaning, reprocessing, disinfection, sterilization, maintenance) in which the employee involved. (11) Demonstrates fieldwork education competence through certification and/or training and ongoing participation in continuing education programs. Assists with the supervision and clinical instruction of OTA students, volunteers, work students and other healthcare practitioners. (12) Performs other related duties as assigned with minimal guidance from OT except in the event of complexity or novelty. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: May be authorized by Supervisor. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-5, 91363; GS-6, 91364; GS-7, 91365; and GS-8, 91366. 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. Education. Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: 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). 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. Loss of Credential. Management officials, in collaboration with Human Resource (HR) Office staff] must remove employees in this occupation who fail to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, which may result in termination of employment. Exceptions for Non-Certified or Non-Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant. OTAs who graduated from an ACOTE approved occupational therapy assistant program but do not possess the NBCOT certification and/or licensure requirements, may be appointed, pending licensure and/or NBCOT certification, on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). OTAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure and/or certification are obtained. OTAs may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OTA or OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. Temporary OTA appointments may not be extended beyond two years. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019[, Employee Occupational Health Service]. English Language Proficiency. OTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English [in accordance with 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 Therapy Assistant, GS-05. (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. None. Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-06. (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-5. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy practice. (b) Knowledge of basic group techniques and interpersonal communication (c) Skill in written communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. (d) Skill in oral communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. (e) Ability to assist in the development of treatment goals/objectives. (f) Ability to implement a patient care plan incorporating activity analysis theory. Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-07. (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS,6. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in promoting occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas. (b) Ability to perform in depth chart review to identify treatment goals and implement treatment plans. (c) Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients. (d) Ability to provide multi-step instructions to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual. Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-08. (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-7. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to implement delegated assessments. (b) Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance. (c) Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status. (d) Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. (e) Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment. (f) Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services. Preferred Experience: Experience in acute, mental health and outpatient settings. References: VA Handbook 5005/145, Part II, Appendix G22 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; use of fingers, both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability.

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 Cincinnati VA Medical Center 3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220 US
• Name: Amanda Flores
• Email: [email protected]