The Occupational Therapist at Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital independently assesses and treats patients using various tools. Responsibilities include evaluating and treating conditions like traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, planning treatments, using physical modalities, and collaborating with healthcare providers; involves procuring and adapting equipment, maintaining certifications, ensuring patient safety, and providing comprehensive therapy to improve or restore function.

Duties

GS-09 Clinical Duties:

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. Education and/or Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: 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. 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. 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). Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements when possessing a full, current, and unrestricted state license, to practice occupational therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. 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. Occupational Therapist, GS-9: Education, Experience, and Licensure. None beyond basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11: Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or Doctorate in occupational therapy. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education 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 Experience: 3+ years of outpatient experience, Experience in conducting evaluations for home safety and home modifications, Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced setting Flexible and adaptable in working with complex cases with multiple comorbities. References: VA Handbook 5005/127, PART II, APPENDIX G14, December 13, 2019 0631-OccupationalTherapist.pdf (va.gov) 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. Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist. OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure, may be appointed, pending certification and/or licensure,] as a graduate OT on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained. For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed. A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation. For more information, please see the qualification standard for this grade/series at 0631-OccupationalTherapist.pdf (va.gov) Physical Requirements: Must be able to sit at a desk to work at a computer and have adequate close visual acuity in both eyes (corrective lenses permitted) to perform activities such as entering patient care documentation, viewing a computer terminal and extensive reading. The therapist must have the ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to hear (aid may be permitted) and be able to perform sedentary duties as well as duties with moderate physical demands. Position requires ability to perform repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers for keyboarding, and use of fingers use of both hands. Position requires intermittent episodes of moderate physical activity including heavy lifting, heavy carrying, pulling, pushing, crawling, kneeling, reaching above shoulders, walking, bending, climbing with use of arms and legs and operation of a motor vehicle. The therapist must have the ability to perform these physical activities without endangering the health and safety of himself/herself or others. This position requires walking throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a computer to perform clinical documentation and administrative dues. The therapist must possess mental/emotional stability and be able to exercise patience and control emotions.

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/.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note: If your school was accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]