The Inpatient Supervisory Occupational Therapist serves in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation service at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). The incumbent has fuller supervisory and managerial responsibility for planning, directing, and coordinating all aspects of the delivery of Occupational Therapy Services at VAPAHCS.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: Administrative Effectively supervises, directs and assigns work to the Occupational Therapy and Administrative Staff of the OT Section in a variety of clinical settings, as well as OT trainees and volunteers. Provides supervision of all clinical and training programs, and overall technical oversight of the Section employees. Displays knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple settings including ambulatory care clinics, inpatient care, SCI/D, polytrauma, community living centers. Coordinates delivery of care across these multiple practice settings. Demonstrates knowledge of VHA human resource administration by performing the following functions: recruitment, interview and selection process, performance management including promotions and disciplinary actions, and monitoring clinical privileges. Develops and updates functional and position descriptions for personnel under occupational therapy supervision. Submits annual departmental budget requests and manages department's funds. Request and manages contracts for registry therapists and assists the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation administrative officer COR. Monitors departmental workload and clinic volume, and generates reports to support current staffing levels and new staff requests. Demonstrates responsibility for environment of care by submitting work orders for equipment repair and requests for replacement and new equipment. Oversees the Occupational Therapy Quality Improvement Program and insures compliance with applicable Joint Commission, CARF, VA and AOTA standards. Functions as Clinical Education Coordinator in the absence of assigned personnel. Models effective personal mastery by prioritizing work in the contact of multiple competing priorities, meeting deadlines, resolving work problems and delegating tasks. Clinical Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. Provides guidance and structure to staff therapists in applying current knowledge to individual practice settings. Regularly reviews all clinical programs in the occupational therapy section to assure that current methodology is being incorporated in all clinics. Provides occupational therapy care in the more complex cases and carries case load as needed. Adheres to departmental guidelines concerning patient assessment, treatment and documentation. Serves as a consultant to other medical center personnel in evaluating and planning occupational therapy for the most complex cases. Provides coverage for therapists during staff absences to provide continuity of care in both inpatient and outpatient clinics. Educational Identifies continuing staff education and training needs. Maintains competencies as required. Organizes and implements the section's ongoing in-service training programs through both lecture format and workshop/lab classes. Organizes vendor in-services to provide therapy staff with education on state of the art rehabilitation technologies. Coordinates occupational therapy representation at community programs and internal VA events. Conducts in-service training programs for other services within the health care system. Educates other facility personnel in the role and scope of Occupational Therapy service and available programs. Oversees curriculum development of clinical education program in collaboration with Center Coordinator of Clinical Education. Encourages professional development and growth of occupational therapy staff by promoting participation in educational course on station and in the community. Research Evaluates quality of care provided by staff by organizing peer and supervisory documentation reviews. Oversees and organizes the department's evidence based research learning activities such as journal club and literature based in-services. Identifies appropriate resources persons for consultative assistance or direct participation in research projects. Participates in research projects as able. Acts as a resource person for occupational therapy intern research proposals and studies. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm 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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education and/or Experience. 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 Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. 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 educational requirements, if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license. 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. 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 Therapist (Inpatient Supervisor), 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. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions. (b) Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality performance, and productivity within the service. (c) Skill in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers to include conflict resolution. (d) Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools. Assignment. Supervisory OTs at this level are generally found at complex facilities. The supervisory occupational therapist is responsible for the supervision, administrative management and direction of the occupational therapy program in an OT section or equivalent work group. They have oversight for planning and directing the staff assignments in a variety of clinical settings. The supervisory OT provides a Veteran/client centered environment while enhancing staff engagement. Typical duties include: assigning work; monitoring clinical performance; resolving staff conflicts; identifying continuing education and training needs; and preparing performance standards and ratings. They interview candidates for positions; recommend appointments, advancements, or when appropriate, disciplinary actions; administer leave; and coordinate staffing needs. Supervisory OTs may provide occupational therapy and have capacity to care for more complex patients. They develop/initiate new treatment programs which integrate outcomes and advancements in practice from current research findings. The supervisory OT serves as an instructor in the facility's in-service clinical training program. They serve as an advocate and resource consultant to the therapy staff and facility-at large through communication with other departments, physicians, external agencies and other groups regarding programs and operation of the occupational therapy section. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14 dated December 13, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: This work involves standing and walking for about 50% of a normal workday. In addition, the occupational therapist must be able to squat, kneel, push and pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above shoulder height. The physical demand level as defined by the Department of Labor is "medium" requiring the occasional lifting of 20-50lbs, the frequent lifting of 10-25lbs and the constant lifting of 10lbs during the normal workday. Occupational therapy requires manual dexterity and coordination to use modalities such as ultrasound and TENS units, and to demonstrate the use of mobility equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs. In addition, occupational therapists must be able to modify such equipment using tools including screwdrivers and wrenches.

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 Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Timothy McBrian
• Email: [email protected]