The Occupational Therapist, Wheelchair Seating Clinical Specialist, serves as the subject matter expert for standard and complex manual and power mobility device evaluations and interventions at this complex 1B Medical Center in Ann Arbor, MI and Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Toledo, OH.

Duties

This announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants to be considered for permanent full-time appointments. The first list of eligible applicants will be pulled for referral on 11:59 PM (EST) January 12, 2024 and then again every Friday at 11:59 PM (EST) until the closing date of Tuesday, March 26, 2024. All applicants may receive consideration for one year from the date of application. VA Careers - https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Duties of the APT (Assistive Technology Professional) Include but are not limited to: The Assistive Technology Professional ATP's primary function is direct patient care. The ATP practices independently and is responsible for comprehensive assessment of Veterans' functional and occupational abilities using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. The ATP selects and provides direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness and performance in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental ADLs, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. The ATP demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of occupational therapy treatment and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references and therapeutic procedures. ATP's practice may include use of telehealth technology and home visits. The ATP administers the occupational therapy wheelchair seating services, performs evaluations and fittings, provides clinical/therapeutic skills and expertise to patients in need of standard and custom wheelchairs, scooters or other major mobility devices such as stair glides and porch lifts. The ATP serves as a consultant for occupational therapy and other VISN medical staff for Veterans in need of specialized wheelchair seating services. The ATP demonstrates skills and techniques specific to providing OT/PT/KT services to Veterans with specialized custom power wheelchairs and related adaptive equipment needs (i.e. spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple limb amputations). The ATP initiates, leads and support research and/or quality improvement projects related to clinical needs. FUNCTION Serves as a consultant for occupational therapy, the medical center, CBOC and VISN health care providers in evaluating Veterans with wheelchair seating and adaptive equipment needs. Informs VISN representatives and stakeholders about the wheelchair seating services. Evaluates and provides wheelchair seating/adaptive equipment interventions, including custom, complex, power wheelchair prescriptions and fittings. The ATP also provides environmental evaluations, especially as they relate to the compatibility of the Veterans' wheelchair(s)/adaptive equipment within their living and/or work environments CLINCIAL OT/PT/KT PRACTICE According to department policies, the ATP is authorized to perform complex OT/PT/KT assessment and treatment of Veterans at this 1B Medical Center and CBOC EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Provides Professional Growth and Continuing Competency- Maintains a high level of professional competence by continuing participation in learning experiences/continuing education courses. Participates in and attends OT/PT/KT section in-services as well as hospital wide in-services. Attends mandatory in service training as required by VA, PSAS and ATP policies. Student Supervision- May have a responsibility to the profession and this facility to provide instruction to Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant students assigned to this facility for clinical affiliations and possesses skills commensurate with that responsibility. Community Responsibility- May serve as a resource person to the community, VISN, and VA nationally in matters relating to OT/PT/KT/ATP, the delivery of health care to geriatrics and the needs of the Veteran population Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00am-04:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement : Wheelchair Seating Specialist ATP / Assistive Technology Professional OT/PT/KT Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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). 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:(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. 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. Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist)GS-12(1) 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.](2) 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). GS-13 Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled, and one of the following: (a) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; or, (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; or, (c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or (d) An additional advanced degree in a related field. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the requirements listed above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. (b) Provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. (c) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. (e) Provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. (f) Implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. References: VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix, G14, Occupational Therapist Qualification Standards, December 13, 2019.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Preplacement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in position where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their coworkers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.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).

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 Ann Arbor VA Medical Center 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 US
• Name: Danielle Bottomley
• Phone: (734) 263-5375
• Email: [email protected]