This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

Functions: Has advanced knowledge in the delivery of assistive technology Occupational Therapy, which may include but, is not limited to AAC (Augmentative and alternative communication), Accessible transportation (public and private), ADL (aids to daily living / activities of daily living), Cognitive aids, Computer access, EADL (electronic aids to daily living), Environmental aids, Learning and study aids, Recreation and leisure, Seating, positioning and mobility, Sensory (e.g. hearing, vision, physical) aids and accommodations, and vocational aids and accommodations. Possesses the ability to implement, revise/update evidence-based OT services and programming in assistive technology. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in the area of assistive technology and their proper application. Conducts measurements and analysis of devices, tasks, activities, environment, and individuals as it relates to the assistive technology service delivery process. Designs, fabricates, customizes, integrates, and /or modifies assistive technology devices. Develops, coordinates, and maintains treatment programs within his/her assigned clinic, based on best practices for client management. Critically analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of assistive technology solutions and adjusts the plan of care according to changing patient needs and terminates treatment program when all goals have been met. Collaborates with other members of the multi-disciplinary team on the assessment, recommendation, implementation, and follow-up process for AT devices. Possesses specialized clinical skills and is able to demonstrate advanced clinical treatment techniques to include appropriate technology solutions. Communicates with assistive technology device manufacturers in terms of specific design and ordering requirements. Contributes to selection, development, and implementation of outcome measures and/or performance improvement initiatives in the area of Assistive Technology. Consults with patients and their families through patient family education, training, and support for devices/technology recommended/issued/ordered. Supports and is involved in teamwork and/or team building both within the employee's service and other services. Ensures safe practices used by all associates during clinical sessions in which they are involved. Maintains current and accurate records for Material Management related to equipment checks and maintenance. Intervenes and problem-solves with clients, families, and associates to ensure concerns related to AT needs and devices are resolved. Demonstrates clinical expertise in evaluation and treatment utilizing specialty low teach and high tech equipment to address a patient's functional needs. Directly assists the Supervisor of Occupational Therapy in clinic development, outcome management, and strategic planning related to the Assistive Technology Program. Evaluates and monitors clinically appropriate treatment programs within the Assistive Technology program to include high-end technology, advancing and ever-changing technology, and evidence-based practice. Provides professional consultation to staff therapists and other service/hospital/VISN personnel regarding highly specialized assistive technology devices. Mentors and assists other occupational therapy staff in the management of highly complex impaired individuals with assistive technology needs. Serves as a resource for staff therapist regarding appropriate technology with mildly impaired clients. Plans an effective goal-directed treatment program, based on findings from a thorough OT examination and assessment that is appropriate and indicated to the disability being treated. Recognizes the appropriateness of OT treatment based on indication, precautions, and contraindications. Recognizes when to refer conditions outside the scope of occupational therapy practice to the appropriate provider. Demonstrates occupational therapy competences at the full performance level of Clinical Specialist, Occupational Therapist, within the occupational therapy scope of practice. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorize PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. English 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: (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. Certification-Documentation Submitted. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. State Licensure-Documentation Submitted. 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. 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 (1) 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 minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or An additional advanced degree in a related field. (2) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:] Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. (3) 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: Experience as an OT Assistive Technology practitioner. ATP certification preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14, December 13, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Work entails: exerting 20 - 50 pounds of force occasionally. Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts and binders. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling: 1 - 10 pounds constantly.

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 James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US
• Name: Davina Cook
• Phone: 407-631-8616
• Email: [email protected]