This Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) - HUD-VASH Specialist is assigned to Community Housing and Outreach Services (CHOS) at VA Puget Sound Health Care System located in the Puget Sound Region, in Washington State with responsibility to provide direct services for Veterans, their families and caregivers.

Duties

Incumbent administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals formulated by an Occupational Therapist, within commonly accepted standards of occupational therapy practice, which includes screening, assessments, individual, family and group visits, discharge planning, case management and other services as appropriate. Services are provided in clinic based and community based settings within the VAPSHCS catchment areas as assigned. Duties will include:

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 Language Proficiency: OTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: (1) Associate's [or higher] degree in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). (2) Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE. Certification: OTAs must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Licensure: OTAs must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a 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: GS-9 Occupational Therapy Assistant Education and Experience: One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities related to the duties of the position being filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate one of the following: (a) A minimum of 2000 hours of clinical practice directly in the specialty area and completion of 60 contact hours of continuing education directly related to the specialty area. This time must be within the past five years; OR (b) Certification in specialty area; OR (c) An additional academic degree related to the healthcare mission. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities In addition to the experience and education requirements above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: a) Skill in the utilization of delegated assessment tools to assist in developing individualized treatment plan related to specialty area. b) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for specialized intervention techniques and programs. c) Ability to independently implement treatment plan using specialty skills and complex techniques. d) Ability to provide complex evidence-based interventions related to clinical specialty. e) Ability to provide consultation and mentoring to other healthcare practitioners and stakeholders in area of specialty. Preferred Experience: Candidates will be expected to perform a large part of their work in community settings. Candidates must have an unrestricted State Driver's License and be cleared upon hire to drive a government vehicle for transporting Veterans. References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G22, Qualifications for Occupational Therapy Assistant. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs), pushing, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted)mental and emotional stability, outside and inside, working closely with others, working alone, operation of a motor vehicle.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript with confer date 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 VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Hector Jebulan
• Phone: (253) 582-8440 X75538
• Email: [email protected]