The Occupational Therapist provides direct patient care to homeless Veterans using advanced skills and knowledge of Occupational Therapy theories and techniques to evaluate patients as appropriate for their age and diagnosis to determine current levels of function. This position provides care to homeless Veterans in the Housing and Urban Development/VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.

Duties

Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Assesses homeless Veterans for appropriate level of care and housing placement with Housing and Urban Development/VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Veterans as needed. Performs evaluations to include history, role and occupational profile, motivation, occupational performance skills, patterns and factors, functional activities, mobility, process skills and communication/interaction skills. Develops and provides treatment interventions tailored to the Veteran's abilities/needs and design to promote, modify, maintain or restore occupational performance, meet treatment goals, and attain discharge. Develops and carries out Occupational Therapy Treatment Plan to meet individual rehabilitation objectives through interventions such as: therapeutic exercise, muscle testing and muscle re-education, ROM, cognitive therapy, neuromuscular facilitation, perceptual motor integration, fabrication and application of devices for daily living, teaching adaptive or compensatory techniques for accomplishing tasks, providing patient/family education regarding disability. Documents the Veteran's response to treatment, therapist's interventions and the progress toward reaching the desired targeted outcomes. Serves as consultant to other facility personnel in solving therapeutic problems and evaluating/ treating the complex interdisciplinary rehabilitation patients. Adapts assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrates the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for non-standard assessment, methods, and techniques. Communicates and consults with other VAMC disciplines on behalf of Occupational Therapy practice to provide comprehensive patient care. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday to 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

Basic Requirements: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. 3. 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 American Occupational Therapy Association (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; OR (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of degree program accreditation (ACOTE) 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. Grandfathering 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). 4. Certification: Must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an Occupational Therapist. 5. State Licensure: 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 the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14 Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard dated December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk while working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, walking up and down stairs, bending, driving a government vehicle, and carrying supplies. Occupational Therapist must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the Occupational Therapist or others. Position may require regular travel into the community to meet with Veterans in transitional housing, independent housing, community agencies and partners who aid and support to the HUD-VASH Program and its Veterans. Must be able to lift 10 to 15 pounds, drive a government vehicle, climb stairs, and regularly be out in the community in the local weather.

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 Las Vegas VA Medical Center 6900 North Pecos Road North Las Vegas, NV 89086 US
• Name: Rolane Jack
• Phone: 808-835-9634
• Email: [email protected]