The Occupational Therapist (OT) in this position is assigned to the Occupational Therapy section of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) and matrixed to the Social Work Service within the Columbia VA Healthcare System. The occupational therapist provides comprehensive occupational therapy evaluation and treatment for complex, chronic, and acute disease, mental health and addiction in homeless veterans in all Columbia VA Homeless programs.

Duties

JOB DUTIES: GS- 9/11 GS-9 Employees at this level serve in an entry level OT career development position practicing under close supervision of an OT at or above the full-performance level. GS-11 Candidates at this level serve as staff OTs in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wider range of human function systems. OTs at this level require less direction and guidance, but practice under the direction of an OT at or above the full performance level. -Performs evaluation appropriate to the patient's functional, physical and/or psycho-social status to establish a baseline level of functioning. -Develops and carries out OT treatment plans with individuals and/or groups of patients to meet individual rehabilitation objectives. Treatment is provided in accordance with age and population specific standards. Has primary responsibility for planning, revising and implementing treatment programs based upon initial and interim evaluations. - Documents patients progress in accordance with established policies and timelines. Provides appropriate adaptive or assistive equipment and/ or upper extremity support as needed. Adapts activities and environment to improve patients' function, safety and quality of life. Educates patients, caregivers and other staff in purposes and procedures for adaptations. Attends and actively participates in conferences, rounds, etc. as part of an interdisciplinary team. Maintains clinic and equipment in a safe and orderly manner in accordance with safety and infection control policies, Joint Commission/CARF regulations and other relevant regulatory policies GS-12 Screening / Evaluation & Re-evaluation: -Evaluating the Veteran's functional, physical, and / or psycho-social abilities while considering the patient's capacities, the activities, and the environments in which these activities occur. - Evaluating the home environment including site visits of HUS-VASH apartments with regard to safety and accessibility issues as indicated by the plan of care and in compliance with local housing codes. Treatment: - Reviewing pertinent patient data using the medical record and, as needed, remote data (e.g. VistaWeb, JLV and VHIE). - Developing, implementing and communicating the occupational therapy intervention plan for veterans in the Homeless Program, including but not limited to HUD-VASH(Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supported Housing, GPD (Grant & Per Diem), COC (Continuum of Care), and HCHV (Health Care for Homeless Veterans) based on the evaluation, patient goals, current best evidence and clinical reasoning. - Identifying general contraindications to treatment. - Scheduling and coordinating treatment with other VA services. Treatment may take place within the home setting or Durham VA Medical Center and may be in-person or virtual, while maintaining privacy and confidentiality as appropriate. Documentation: Accurately documenting OT services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by the PM&RS, Social Work Service, the Durham VA Healthcare System polices as well as requirements established by CARF and Joint Commission. - Entering consults within the PM&RS Service (i.e., to Physical or Recreational Therapy) or to the Prosthetics service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with competencies, PM&RS and Durham VAHCS policies. Discharge Planning & Interdisciplinary Coordination: - Identifying when patients have attained maximum benefit from occupational therapy services and terminating services as appropriate. - Participating in interdisciplinary team meetings and effectively communicating the patient's response to care, occupational therapy recommendations and appropriate follow-up patient needs Supervision: Participating in the clinical education of OT and OTA students including supervision of level I and/or II fieldwork and completion of fieldwork evaluation forms. - Supervising individuals who are volunteering in an official capacity through the Volunteer Service. Program Development / Quality Improvement: - The OT is responsible for participating in Occupational Therapy, PM&RS, and Social Work Service(s) program development, outcome management, strategic planning and quality improvement projects to include but not limited to peer reviews, literature reviews, committee membership and process improvement projects. - The OT may participate in pertinent clinical research as patient care permits. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS#544-55759F / FS#544-55760F / FS#544-57167F 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 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. (2) 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. 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). GS-9 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-11 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Education, Experience, or Licensure. (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled OR (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. GS-12 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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 above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) 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. (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. (c) 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. (d) Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living inclusive of durable medical equipment. (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. Preferred Experience: homeless experience. 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 in the range of GS-9 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: 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 Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: M. Nicole Goodbee
• Email: [email protected]