Position is overseen by the Occupational Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) of the Ann Arbor HCS. Work sites include the CBOC in Toledo, the Ann Arbor VA hospital and in the community as designated by the program. The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) provides treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of the acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction.

Duties

Receives/Interprets Therapy Requests: Receives and interprets requests or instructions for occupational therapy procedures. Completes a preliminary review/examinations of patients data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status and ascertaining patient's need for therapy services. Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and applies occupational therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of an occupational therapist. Employee may carry out or oversee the work of a lower graded assistants to accommodate requests. Secures patient confidence/cooperation: Secures the confidence and cooperation of Veterans during treatment. Interacts with the patient and family to explain therapy procedures, discuss treatment plans and motivate Veterans and family members to comply with indicated regimens and post-discharge activities. Instructs, motivates, and assists patients to learn and improve functional activities. May oversee and assist lower grade assistants. Assists with or renders treatment based on patients' needs: Assists with or independently renders specialized occupational therapy treatments and procedures based on the assessed needs of the patient. Monitors and records Veteran's condition and response to treatment. Takes appropriate measures to sustain patient's condition during treatment and takes appropriate action when deviations in Veteran's condition are recognized. Maintains a work safe environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, inventory, etc. Adapts and Adjusts Procedures: Screens, advises, and assists Veterans through the occupational therapy regimen. Adapts and adjust occupational therapy procedures as needed. Assists therapist in development of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long and short-term goals. Independently modifies or adapts specialized treatment approaches with prior approval of the therapist. Makes modifications within the scope of the established treatment plan to reflect the changing needs of the Veteran and his or her sociocultural context. Modifies intervention environment, tools, materials and activities in response to each veteran's response to treatment. Adapts the technical procedures and approaches to meet Veteran's needs. Performs other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92805-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: [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. Loss of Credential. [Management officials, in collaboration with Human Resource (HR) Office staff] must remove employees in this occupation who fail to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, which may result in termination of employment. Exceptions for Non-Certified or Non-Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant. (1) OTAs who graduated from an ACOTE approved occupational therapy assistant program but do not possess the NBCOT certification and/or licensure requirements, may be appointed, pending licensure and/or NBCOT certification, on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2). (2) OTAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure and/or certification are obtained. (3) OTAs may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OTA or OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. (4) Temporary OTA appointments may not be extended beyond two years. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-05 (1) Experience. [None beyond the basic requirements.] (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. [None.] Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-06 (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. [In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy practice. (b) Knowledge of basic group techniques and interpersonal communication (c) Skill in written communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. (d) Skill in oral communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. (e) Ability to assist in the development of treatment goals/objectives. (f) Ability to implement a patient care plan incorporating activity analysis theory.] Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-07 (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. [In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in promoting occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas (b) Ability to perform in depth chart review to identify treatment goals and implement treatment plans. (c) Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients. (d) Ability to provide multi-step instructions to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual.] Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-08 (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level. (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to implement delegated assessments. (b) Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance. (c) Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status. (d) Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. (e) Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment. (f) Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services. Preferred Experience: Experience and skills working with homeless veterans and veterans having mental health disorders. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G22. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: This position frequently requires moderate to heavy lifting. Normally such lifting will involve but not limited to assisting with transfers or gait training of the client in the occupational therapy clinic or at the patient's bedside. This position will also involve sedentary work involving computers and communications.

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 Ann Arbor VA Medical Center 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 US
• Name: Jessica Kidd
• Phone: 734-596-3177
• Email: [email protected]