This position is assigned to the Occupational Therapy Integrative Health and Wellness/Whole Health System Department, within the Mental Health Service Line at the William S Middleton Veterans Affairs Hospital (VAH) in Madison, WI, which is a complexity 1b facility. It requires a fully licensed and registered Occupational Therapist that works independently with minimal guidance and direct patient care.

Duties

The duties include: Performs occupational therapy assessment, treatment, and integrative health and wellness-based interventions. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of health promotion, disease prevention and management, and treatment in occupational therapy and proper application utilizing whole-person care, therapeutic use of self, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), activity analysis, lifestyle modification, behavioral intervention, frames of reference, and therapeutic procedures. Emphasizes self-care in the larger context of well-being, incorporating a full range of conventional and Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) approaches, including (but not limited to) Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation, Guided Imagery, Battlefield Acupuncture, Clinical Hypnosis, and Biofeedback. Evaluates and provides appropriate clinical care for Veterans with common comorbidities of mental illness and chronic medical conditions, such as PTSD, anxiety disorders, diabetes, obesity, substance abuse, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dementia, and chronic pain. Assists in the scheduling of appointments for patients according to their Occupational Therapy wellness plan and/or treatment plan while coordinating with other disciplines within the team and facility. Participates in regular team meetings. Uses verbal and written communication effectively with interdisciplinary teams. Maintains consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted OT practice, facility, and Mental Health Service requirements regarding content and timeliness. Performs competent documentation of progress notes and discharge summaries. Completes educational activities and competencies to maintain state licensure, national certification, and any additional certification(s) as required by the certifying/licensing agency and the VA. Aware of safety concerns, regulations, policies, and procedures, and employs appropriate safety practices. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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: 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) English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) Licensure: current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice Occupational Therapy in a state, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist; OR, 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. Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; OR, 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. Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. 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). Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist. (1) 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). (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. (3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. (4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment. Grade Determinations: GS-9: None beyond the basic requirements. NOTE: Individuals assigned at the GS-9 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems. The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently. OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists. OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed OT. GS-11: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; OR Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR Doctorate in occupational therapy. In addition to the experience and education above, you must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. GS-12 Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. In addition to the experience and education above, you 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 Part II Appendix G14 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 50 pounds and supporting patients.

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 William S Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital 2500 Overlook Terrace Madison, WI 53705 US
• Name: Adrienne Yelverton
• Phone: 757-769-2810
• Email: [email protected]