Responsible for the Driver Rehabilitation specialty clinic at the Tucson VA Medical Center (SAVAHCS). Performs in-clinic and on-the-road assessments, as well as driver training and has attended VA Driver Rehabilitation Instructor Training and supervises all occupational therapists involved in the driver rehabilitation training process. Acts as a SME on best practices in driver rehabilitation, automobile adaptive equipment, and compatibility of mobility devices and modified vehicles.

Duties

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Responsible for the examination and treatment of all veterans referred to the Driver Rehabilitation Program, including Interfacility Consults from the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System. Includes comprehensive and standardized Pre-Driving, In-Clinic, and On-The-Road assessments for veterans with a variety of complex diagnoses. Interpretation of assessments and measures used to determine appropriateness for Driver Rehabilitation evaluation, training, and/or automobile adaptive equipment and vehicle modifications. Independently plans, develops, and implements comprehensive and complex treatment programs for patients to maximize their independence in all aspects of community mobility. Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff and individuals outside of the VA involved in the care and safety of the patient as it relates to community mobility (OTs, PTs, PCPs, Social Workers, Geriatrics, Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians and residents, Low Vision Clinic, Podiatry, Speech Therapy, Audiology, Eye Clinic staff, Prosthetics staff, DME vendors, Automobile Adaptive Equipment vendors). Extensive knowledge of 4502 Vehicle Grant, Non-Service Connected Vehicle Conversion policy, HISA Grant, and other local and national grants, services and benefits eligible to veterans. Advanced knowledge and skills to independently conduct assessment, analysis and design training programs for driver rehabilitation assessment and training using clinically advanced equipment which includes but is not limited to: Optec Vision Tester and STISIM Driving Simulator, various hand controls, left foot accelerators, steering devices, and other automobile adaptive equipment. Demonstrate advanced application of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based treatment in the areas of Driver Rehabilitation and Community Mobility. Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who have a combination of significant cognitive, psychological, physical and/or social factors. Skills and interventions are based on occupational therapy theory, research, best practice, and ethical guidelines as well as The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) research, best practice and ethical guidelines. Work closely with complementary therapies including mobility specialists to determine compatibility between mobility devices/vehicles/automobile adaptive equipment and determining appropriate DME for transportation of mobility devices. Maintain timely data input and recommendations to coordinate with key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care and ensure that recommendations including cessation of driving and reporting patients to the respective Motor Vehicle Division is carried out. Assess, requests, and writes prescriptions for prosthetic equipment and vehicle modifications, and automobile adaptive equipment. Provide the mobility equipment supplies with the appropriate vehicle prescription. Scheduling face-to-face meetings, being available for our vendors through email or phone to ensure our veterans are receiving what they need in a timely manner. Work closely with our suppliers to problem solve complicated cases that may arise. Communicates with the Motor Vehicle Division as the need arises. Work Schedule: 07:30 - 16:00 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Learn more 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 (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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the 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. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. 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 (Clinical Specialist) 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; (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; (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. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. (b) Ability to 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) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. (f) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. Assignment. Clinical OT specialists at this grade level serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. This individual must demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Clinical OT specialist may initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research. Preferred Experience: Possession of written documentation that the individual has passed the CDRS Examination which is administered by The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) and has an active CDRS credential which is achieved by completing 30 approved contact hours during every 3 year certification period. Completed the VA EES Driver Rehabilitation Instructor Training Course. References: VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14, dated December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: VA Handbook 5019/1, Part II, Pre-Placement Physical Examination and Evaluation.

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 Tucson VA Medical Center 3601 South Sixth Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723 US
• Name: Seth Hickman
• Phone: (858) 552-8585 X7394
• Email: [email protected]