This Occupational Therapist is an outpatient provider for the Occupational Therapy department within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. Responsibilities include general outpatient assessment and treatment for veterans with physical dysfunction, neurological, mental health, and orthopedic or musculoskeletal diagnoses.

Duties

Clinical After receiving an appropriate referral, independently evaluates patients referred for Occupational Therapy. Uses knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence-based practice. Based on evaluations and planning with patient and significant others (when appropriate), and coordination with the multidisciplinary team, establishes treatment goals, plan of care, and eventual discharge plan. Uses 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. Develops and carries out occupational therapy plans with individuals to meet individual rehabilitation objectives. Re-evaluates patient's performance and modifies treatment as indicated. Evaluates patient's living situation through outpatient visits or home visits, patient and family interview, or consultation with other health care professionals. Initiates ordering, delivery and training in the use of patient specific adaptive equipment in a timely, efficient and accurate manner. Has skills in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living. Carries a full patient caseload, accepting new consults as referred by the primary care provider/medical or health care provider. Documents initial evaluations, progress, and discharge planning in a timely, concise manner, per section documentation and consult management requirements. Administrative For each patient assigned, accurately maintains patient schedule and attendance. Independently manages daily workload and schedule. Schedules patients promptly to comply with clinical access guidance. Accurately documents for the medical record: an initial evaluation including outcome measures, assessment, and short- and long-term goals; progress reports which include description of treatment provided and outcome in terms of function; discharge summary, as necessary, which includes summary of treatment, outcome in terms of goals set, equipment provided, and education given to patient and family. Assists in the development of new treatment programs, techniques, or refinements of current programs as directed by the outpatient therapy supervisor. Shares ideas and concerns regarding the Occupational Therapy department with supervisor. Participates in multidisciplinary meetings, if applicable, including chart rounds, family conferences, and discharge planning, as directed. Designs and /or participates in quality assurance activities as directed and has a working knowledge of departmental performance improvement projects. Shares in the maintenance of equipment and is aware of safety. Participates in CARF and Joint Commission activities to ensure compliance and accreditation. Tour of duty is established by supervisor and may require some flexibility to assist with coverage needs which may include weekends and holidays. Maintains current NBCOT certifications and state licensing requirements; and completes all mandatory training as required by the facility. Assist with consult management and triage. Education May supervise occupational therapy students. Provides supervision in the area of patient evaluation, treatment planning, treatment implementation and oral and written reporting. Assists in the orientation of physicians, medical resident, and other allied health personnel to the Occupational Therapy program. Demonstrates the ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. Works with other providers and/or ward staff in teaching positioning, application of orthoses and slings, and proper use of self-help devices. Instructs patient and family members in the proper and safe use adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment and prepares timely prosthetics requests. Attends continuing education courses for occupational therapists and related health care personnel to increase knowledge and skill, learn new treatment techniques, and explore new theories. Shares that knowledge with the OT and other interested staff. Plans and implements patient education programs and adjusts teaching method to match the patient and/or family's learning style and cognitive level. Attends and maintains mandatory training classes and incorporates principles learned to correct deficiencies and maintain safety. Serves as mentor to new occupational therapy staff, if necessary. Work Schedule: 0730 - 1600, Monday - Friday (As Determined by Service) Telework: Available (Ad-Hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-55986-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: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g this part) English Language 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] 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. OR 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 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). 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. Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph [3b(2)] if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of this appendix. 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. 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. 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. 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, 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. 6 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Occupational Therapy is a vocation that requires regular and recurring physical exertion with long periods of standing, bending, walking and periods of assisting patients with transfers.See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System 1700 N Wheeling St Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]