This position is in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS), Boise VA Medical Center, Boise, ID. Provides rehabilitative services to persons with physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and behavioral impairments. This position independently evaluates, treats, develops plans of care, and manages patients utilizing current professional knowledge, critical analysis, clinical reasoning, creativity, and skill to apply a wide range of theories, principles, and methods.

Duties

Independently performs evaluations of patients' functional abilities by administering a variety of contemporary standardized and non-standardized tests to determine Occupational Therapy needs. Primary evaluation instruments and/or procedures include, but are not limited to cognitive assessments, strength and motion measurements, activities of daily living evaluations, observation, interview and review of medical histories. Modifies evaluation tools as necessary based on specific patient characteristics. Interprets evaluation findings to develop an effective and individualized care plan that is appropriate and indicated for the impairments being treated. Collaborates with the patient, caregiver, family members, and interdisciplinary professionals to develop the care plan, including short- and long-term goals. Develops functional goals that are objective, measurable, and achievable within realistic time frames. Recognizes contraindications, precautions, and appropriateness of treatment prescribed by referring provider. Identifies the need for and ensures collaboration among other healthcare professionals across the continuum of care. Effectively collaborates with patients, family members, caregivers, and other professionals utilizing verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. Develops and carries out a full range of Occupational Therapy treatments using a wide variety of evidence-based treatment techniques and modalities. These treatments may include but are not limited to strengthening and range of motion exercises; self-care training; application of adaptive equipment and splints; patient and family education regarding disability; cognitive re-training and wheelchair mobility. Procures, fabricates, adjusts, adapts, and modifies orthoses, splints, adaptive equipment, and home safety equipment in accordance with the treatment plan. Trains the patient and/or caregiver in use and care of the device. Observes the patient as he uses the device to ensure proper use. Monitors response to interventions and uses advanced professional judgement to modify treatment plans based on changing medical conditions or as necessitated by patient complexity. Utilizes population-specific (including age, gender, and period of military service) competencies to deliver individualized care. Conducts assessments and patient care by considering how individual patient characteristics affect the patient's ability to understand instructions, provide effective self-assessment, and participate safely and effectively in the treatment program. Actively participates in department and program meetings and makes alternate arrangements when unable to attend. Participates in care planning and discharge meetings. Performs this duty by attending meeting, reporting on the patient's status, and contributing to treatment planning. Performs this duty by administering the appropriate functional scale at admission, discharge, and necessary intervals. Document the score obtained from the functional scale in necessary documentation. Submits the score for entry into the database. Takes responsibility for remaining current of departmental initiatives and functions. Performs this by reading (and responding as directed) to interdepartmental and intradepartmental communications. Participates in studies of patient access, clinic utilization, performance monitors as directed. Works to improve these areas as directed. Performs this duty to ensure continuous improvement in patient care, utilization, and TJC readiness. Performs this duty by receiving feedback from supervisors and implementing recommended actions. Performs this duty by collecting data as directed by supervisors, being aware of performance within these performance monitors, and making changes in patient evaluation, treatment, and documentation as directed by supervisor. Serves within candidate pool to participate in clinical education. Uses a system of graduated responsibility in assigning duties to the student. Delegates selected components of the treatment plan to occupational therapy assistants as available. Performs this duty by selecting routine exercises and functional mobility tasks and delegating them to the assistant. Receives feedback from the assistant regarding patient status and modifies treatment plan accordingly. Performs this duty by completing mandatory annual training, identifying knowledge deficits, seeking training to alleviate knowledge deficits, and participating in in-services and continuing education. Demonstrates ability to conduct OT-related clinical and in-service training. Complies with Standard Precautions and Infection Control policies in daily work. Remains current with all mandatory education and applies knowledge of health and safety regulations. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework eligible: Yes, position eligible Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

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: Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two 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 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. 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, 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 KSAs. In addition to the experience 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. Preferred qualifications: Developing Quality Assurance monitors and standards of care to ensure compliance with VA directives, and accrediting and professional organizations relating to care of patients needing mobility specialty care Managing workloads addressing minor, routine problems and serving as a subject matter expert in the areas of client evaluation, care and program planning for Assistive Technology and Seating and Mobility Programs. Ability to guide the work of a multi-disciplinary team in a specialized area of occupational therapy related to seating and mobility, equipment needs, and assessing for appropriate home modifications. Strong OT background working with patients in rural areas, using telehealth modalities (virtual, telephone visits) Strong background in cognition assessment and 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-9 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, sitting, and changing from one position to another frequently throughout the day. Requires good manual dexterity to manipulate patients and equipment. According to the US Department of Labor, the strength requirement of an occupational therapist is medium. Medium is defined as exerting (to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects) 20 to 50 pounds of force frequently (2/3 of the time), and /or up to 10 pounds of force constantly. Must have the ability to bend, lift, and assist with transfers. Must have adequate physical strength to assist with resistive activities.

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 Boise VA Medical Center 500 West Fort Street Boise, ID 83702 US
• Name: Aleric Dubbels
• Phone: 208-422-1363
• Email: [email protected]