The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking an Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) to provide highly specialized occupational therapy evaluation and treatment to patients referred for power scooter, power wheelchairs, wheeled mobility and seating issues. The primary duty station will be in N Little Rock, AR. May be required to travel to Little Rock CAVHS facility and surrounding Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) as needed.

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Clinical Specialist: Seating and Wheeled Mobility Using advanced knowledge from education and experience in seating and wheeled mobility, the incumbent demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgement in planning and executing treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives for patients referred for seating and wheeled mobility assessment. Evaluates inpatients and outpatients to identify specific occupational therapy treatment problems. Performs tests and measurements specific to the seating and wheeled mobility assessment as related to the patient's condition. Tests are frequently complex and must be adapted to each patient based on physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and/or present medical condition. Mentor to interdisciplinary team and students in the area of seating and wheeled mobility. Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex, and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge in the area of seating and wheeled mobility. Exercises expert professional judgment to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. Treatment will be provided on the ward, in the facility, via telehealth/VA Video Connect (VVC), and in the community as appropriate for the patient's needs. Demonstrates independent problem-solving skills that allows for frequent modification of treatment plans in response to subtle, but significant changes in the condition of the patient. The coordination of multiple treatment approaches simultaneously is needed to accomplish complex treatment objectives. Coordinates and/or directs overall clinic activities in the specialty area of seating and wheeled mobility, including professional supervision of patient evaluation and treatment by other staff members. This includes reviewing and/or updating service level memorandums and/or SOP's in regard to the seating and wheeled mobility program within PM&RS. Serves as a subject matter expert and role model for other therapists and students evaluating and treating patients for seating and wheeled mobility needs and provides 1:1 instruction and patient demonstrations to interns/residents/students on assessments related to seating and wheeled mobility. Maintains current knowledge of seating and mobility related information and serves as a consultant to therapist and/or other medical center staff conducting research related to the specialty area of seating and wheeled mobility. Serves as one of the primary occupational therapists for Little Rock for panels and interviews with The Joint Commission and other inspection teams in the area of seating and wheeled mobility. Triages new consults for occupational therapy for determination of appropriateness for therapy. Serves as Subject Matter Expert on the VA directive, maintaining any and all databases for Little Rock as required for the program, knowledge of new changes and adherence to and training of staff for these changes. Leads and participates in Performance Improvement teams and activities related to the seating and wheeled mobility program. Assists with maintaining the ongoing inventory of needed clinic supplies and/or equipment needed to enhance the seated and wheeled mobility program. Reviews current literature on practice and research in the area of seating and wheeled mobility. Assists in the care of patient other than those of the specialized area of seating and wheeled mobility as caseload permits, or as the needs of the service indicate. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (subject to change based on the needs of the agency). Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00584F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: U.S. Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (1) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two years of experience as an OT. 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 (2) 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 (3) 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 U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 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 U.S. (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). Preferred Experience. PM&RS is seeking the best qualified occupational therapist with preferred experience in the outpatient or inpatient setting with the following responsibilities/characteristics:- Current PM&RS employee. - At least 5 years of experience working in the inpatient and/or outpatient setting at CAVHS. - At least 80 hours of post professional degree education/training in the area of Wheelchair assessment, seating, prescription and fitting in order to display advanced knowledge and expert skill in a range of specialized interventions or manual and powered mobility. - Displays knowledge and skill in wheelchair evaluation and prescription for a variety of patients with varying degrees of manual or powered mobility needs. - Displays knowledge of ordering processes for manual and powered mobility needs. - Knowledgeable in a wide array of occupational therapy topics and interventions within and outside of specialty area. - Develops and implements complex, goal-oriented treatment plans for patients, presenting with a multiplicity of dysfunction and impairments in physical, functional, and adaptive areas. - Provides independent evaluation and therapeutic interventions to a full range of wounded, ill, and injured veterans with a diverse set of diagnoses. - Teaches alternative or compensatory techniques for rehabilitation, reconditioning, and functional tasks, regardless of physical, mental, and/or cognitive deficits. - Designs advanced level treatment plans to meet patient/clinical objectives. - Provides education and consultation to patients and other providers, including development of training programs and educational in-services. - Provides recommendations for continued treatment, home programs, and reconditioning, as well as guidance on physical health, functional, and adaptive activities. 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(1) Knowledge of contemporary OT across multiple areas of practice.(2) Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners.(3) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization.(4) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current OT theory, recent research, and practice.(5) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about OT scope of practice for area of specialization.(6) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based OT services and programming in area of specialization. References. VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14, Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard. The position is above Full Performance Level (GS-13). Physical Requirements. Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over) and moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling and pushing (2 hours); reaching above shoulders; use of both hands and fingers; walking and standing (8 hours); crawling and kneeling (2 hours); repeated bending (4 hours); climbing using legs only (1 hour); climbing using legs and arms; both legs required; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental/muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability. May have to utilize lifting equipment for patient care. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services) Environmental Factors. Excessive noise (intermittent); exposure to dust, fumes, smoke or gas, and solvents (degreasing agents); working around machinery with moving parts; working closely with others. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services)

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 John L McClellan Memorial Veterans' Hospital 4300 West Seventh Street Little Rock, AR 72205 US
• Name: SUSAN WILLIAMS
• Phone: 228-523-4934
• Email: [email protected]