The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking a full-time Occupational Therapist for the VA Medical Center in Tuscaloosa Alabama.

Duties

The Occupational Therapist (OT) serves as a staff therapist. He/she provides direct patient care and works independently with the service chief being available for consultation as needed for clinical direction. The typical duties may include, but are not limited to: Serves as an active team member in a comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation program that includes geriatrics, amputee, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, orthopedics, and mental rehabilitation. Assists in preparation, provision, and supervision of clinical training experiences for Occupational Therapy Students/Interns. Assumes primary responsibility for a designated program but must function independently in all OT programs provided by the facility. Provides direct patient care, independently planning and implementing treatment programs for individual patients as well as those participating in group programs. Independently solves complex problems related to Occupational Therapy, adapting and modifying treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of patients with complex disorders. Serves as a subject matter expert in the assigned work area as a consultant to Occupational Therapy and other Medical Center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the assigned area. Serves as a mentor to other therapists evaluating and treating patients in the assigned program area. Provides in-service and clinical training programs in assigned or general program area. May perform ancillary assignments, including clerical duties, on an as needed basis, where the amount of work is less than 25% of the duty time. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 58545 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. 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 (b) 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 (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. 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. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. 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-12 Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Candidates must also demonstrate 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14. 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. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44pounds), Heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (2 hours), Standing (8 hours), Repeated bending (4 hours), Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Hearing (aid permitted), and Mental & Emotional Stability.

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 Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center 3701 Loop Road East Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 US
• Name: Kara Wanner
• Email: [email protected]