The incumbent will function as a highly independent practitioner of Occupational Therapy in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department at the Community Living Center. Provides assessment and treatment of patients requiring rehabilitation services in inpatient/CLC settings. Evaluates patients, prepares treatment plans, routinely assesses results of treatment, and provides timely, clinically accurate and appropriate documentation of care provided.

Duties

The incumbent is responsible for independently providing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals (as applicable). The incumbent interprets findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and then integrates findings into the occupational therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. This includes using standard and nonstandard methods for evaluating complex cases to identify problems and baseline levels of function, aligning examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes, and/or referring to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The incumbent assesses the patient's need for adaptive devices, equipment, or modifications to ensure maximum safety and independence (including, but not limited to, hand and UE splinting, ADL equipment, special seating, custom wheelchair prescription, environment control systems and architectural barrier assessments). In the provision of care, the incumbent will provide the full range of comprehensive treatment procedures designed to improve or restore function through the use of evidence-based occupational therapy. The incumbent will utilize pertinent developed protocols, recognize any contraindications or precautions, and modify treatment as needed for patient's changing medical condition(s). The incumbent appropriately delegates care to occupational therapy assistants and provides appropriate clinical supervision of this care, including scheduling of appointments in accordance with both patients' needs and licensing requirements. Documentation of all care will be completed in accordance with local directives, guidelines and JCAHO standards. Assists with clinical management of consults, including consideration for referral to community care for initial or ongoing care requests. The incumbent is 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 incumbent ensures inventory and supplies needed for patient care are maintained and follows departmental procedures for the ordering and re-ordering of supplies. The incumbent 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. Attends PMRS and departmental staff meetings, and shares ideas and concerns regarding the occupational therapy department with peers and supervisor. Participates in occupational therapy program development, which may include, but is not limited to, developing or refining occupational therapy programs, evaluation forms, consult templates, policies, protocols, and directives, including the use of system redesign principles and methods as needed. Compiles and submits statistical reports, reviews of research, develops and supports QI indicators, and conducts QI audits related to occupational therapy as requested by the Supervisor, ACOS of PMRS, and/or VASNHCS. The incumbent is responsible for independently providing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals (as applicable). The incumbent interprets findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and then integrates findings into the occupational therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. This includes using standard and nonstandard methods for evaluating complex cases to identify problems and baseline levels of function, aligning examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes, and/or referring to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The incumbent assesses the patient's need for adaptive devices, equipment, or modifications to ensure maximum safety and independence (including, but not limited to, hand and UE splinting, ADL equipment, special seating, custom wheelchair prescription, environment control systems and architectural barrier assessments). Work Schedule: Variable hours to include weekends and holidays Telework :Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Occupational Therapist GS-0631-12 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements : A. 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). B. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). C. 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 .D. Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist. E. 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. Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist: OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure, may be appointed, pending certification and/or licensure, as a graduate OT on a full-time temporary appointment not-to exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained. For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed. F. 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). G. Drivers License: A current, valid state-issued driver's license is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you will be required to provide a copy of your current, valid state-issued driver's license. 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 I. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 Part II Appendix G14, Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard, dated December 13, 2019. J. Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift 30Ibs See VA Directive and handbook 5019

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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.
Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
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 VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System 975 Kirman Avenue Reno, NV 89502 US
• Name: Nikki Roberts
• Phone: (762)215-2268
• Email: [email protected]