The Occupational Therapist is assigned responsibility in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation clinic for serving as the occupational therapist with subject matter expertise in pelvic rehabilitation providing evaluation and treatment of incontinence, pelvic pain and pelvic dysfunction in addition to musculoskeletal dysfunction. The incumbent is required to apply advanced evaluation methodologies and treatment theories in the provision of care to a vast array of functional impairments.

Duties

The occupational therapist independently develops and implements a treatment program utilizing judgment to modify the treatment as a result of changing medical conditions or because of a variety of physical and cognitive disabilities Principal Duties and Responsibilities-but not limited to: Works with a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and carrying out treatment programs. Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment. This includes ability to independently evaluate and treat veterans who seek occupational therapy services. Incumbent is responsible for providing assessment and treatment for inpatient and outpatient veterans. Works effectively with treatment team members, veterans and veterans' family/significant others and other healthcare providers in coordinating the veteran's total care. Effectively communicates in the clinical medical record and other written and/or oral sources to promote positive communication, collaboration and teamwork. Develops and initiates new treatment programs which apply current research findings. Applies timely research findings ethically and appropriately to the evaluation and intervention processes. Discusses applicable research findings with other Physical Medicine & Rehab personnel to assure high quality of care to veterans. Reads and interprets consults to identify necessary elements and determine appropriateness of referral for assessment and evaluation of veterans. Refers veterans to appropriate resources when the needs of the veteran can best be served by the expertise of other professionals or services. Evaluates performance areas, performance components and performance context to establish a baseline level of functioning. Selects assessments to evaluate the veteran's level of function and follows defined protocols when standardized assessments are utilized. Maintains clinic cleanliness and equipment functioning, enforcing safety policies and procedures. Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures. Performs work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment. Ensures strict adherence to federal, state, and local codes concerning health, safety, and the workplace environment as applicable to their performance duties. Attends and participates in scheduled and appointed professional division/program committee meetings, management workshops, conferences and seminars. May conduct formal and/or informal clinical research, is aware of ongoing relevant research and keeps abreast of current professional publications on related occupational therapy areas. Demonstrates knowledge and skills for the treatment of lumbar, sciatic, hip and pelvis. Performs assessment of muscles, ligaments, nerves and bony landmarks within the pelvic floor and pelvic girdle.* Plans and implements a comprehensive treatment regimen designed to maximize the function of the veteran with pelvic floor dysfunctions, including but not limited to pelvic related pain, urinary/fecal incontinence, pre- and post-partum, and weakness/dysfunction of pelvic floor structures.* Understanding of psychological changes associated with pelvic floor dysfunction and women's health issues is required.* Demonstrates the ability to interpret and assimilate diagnostic testing from other disciplines related to pelvic dysfunctions including urology, gynecology, gastroenterology, and PM&R.* Evaluates new adaptive aids, prosthetic and/or orthotic equipment. Serves as a resource person for matters relating to occupational therapy in the treatment of veterans. Demonstrates occupational therapy competencies at the full performance levels of clinical specialist OT within the occupational therapy scope of practice. Demonstrates knowledge and skills for the treatment of lumbar, sciatic, hip and pelvis. Performs assessment of muscles, ligaments, nerves and bony landmarks within the pelvic floor and pelvic girdle. Responsible for women's health clinic development, outcome management, and strategic planning under the supervision of department supervisor.* Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 41218F 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: To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Language Proficiency. Occupational Therapist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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; OR Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; OR Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of the Education and/or Experience #2 above if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in the State Licensure paragraph down below. Certification-Submit Documentation. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. State Licensure-Submit Documentation. 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. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. 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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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 minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area (pelvic health). 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 (pelvic health); or An additional advanced degree in a related field. 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 pelvic health to other OT practitioners. Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for pelvic health. 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 pelvic health. Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in pelvic health. 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: Prefer 2-3 years experience in pelvic health and be certified in Pelvic Rehabilitation. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/127 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-13. Physical Requirements: The work involves sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping and reaching. Lifting and carrying of occasional moderately heavy objects, such as assistive devices occurs regularly. Must be able to lift objects up to 45 pounds. Periods of time may be moderately demanding, to include assisting veterans with impaired mobility and/or cognitive functioning. Intermittent complicated issues with veterans and/or family members may periodically become stressful. Extended periods of computer processing duties. Employee must be able to work under the pressure of emergent conditions and tight deadlines. Work is performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to the communicable diseases common to veteran population.

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 West Palm Beach VA Medical Center 7305 North Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33410 US
• Name: Thomas Ellis
• Phone: 713-791-1414 X141007
• Email: [email protected]