Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital is a tertiary level, 1A facility in VISN 12 and is one of the largest hospitals in the metropolitan area serving Veterans from six community based outpatient clinics in rural areas. Salary Ranges: GS 9: $66,942 - $87,024 GS 11: $80,994 - $105,289 GS 12: $97,079 - $126,198

Duties

The Occupational Therapist will serve as the CSP Clinical Assessor in the Caregiver Support Program with primary responsibilities to provide clinical evidence-based services and interventions; provide caregiver, Veteran and staff education on caregiver issues; engage in community outreach and resource development; continuous quality-improvement activities, and evaluation/consultation. The CSP Clinical Assessor must demonstrate the ability to apply occupational therapy knowledge, theories, and techniques to a full range of patient populations. The incumbent uses their knowledge to complete specialized consultation on the administrative and clinical considerations of the CSP as referenced in VHA Directive 1152 (1). They apply clinical skills in the following components: Sensory motor, to include sensory integration, neuromuscular and motor; Cognitive integration and cognitive components; Psychosocial skills and psychological components. The CSP Clinical Assessor assists in the day-to-day operations of the Caregiver Support Program and ensures compliance and collaboration with local facility and VA Central Office Caregiver Support Program initiatives. Collaborates with the other members of the CSP team in the provision of comprehensive health care services to Veterans, ensuring equity of access, service, and benefits to this population, and ensures the care provided is of the highest quality. Provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs as assigned. Updates program management of any potential shifting trends in workload or programmatic concerns and assists with providing recommendations to enhance program effectiveness. Participates in direct caregiver and Veteran wellness contacts to assess caregiver stress/burden and the development/application of directed clinical treatment interventions. Provides caregiver and family clinical interventions to facilitate the treatment of caregiver stress, psychiatric illness, emotional distress, and social needs. Conducts regular home visits to Veterans and Caregivers participating in the PCAFC, responds to calls from the National Caregiver Support Hotline, responds to other phone calls and general inquiries regarding the CSP, and assists with general tasks associated with the program. Advises and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams throughout the medical center on caregiver issues. Creates educational tools, develops programs, and implements trainings focused on specific caregiver needs/issues and providing education and in-service training to VAMC employees, Veterans, families, and caregivers. Serve as a consultant for navigating the complex processes caregivers, Veterans, and their families encounter when interacting with government and community agencies. Stays informed regarding current federal and state legislation directed at assisting caregivers to continue to provide caregiving in an environment that is safe for both themselves and the Veteran Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint, coordinates family/caregiver conferences and serves as liaison to family members and caregivers. Maintains familiarity and responsibility for all performance measures relating to the CSP. Assists the Medical Center with MISSION Act implementation, as it relates to CSP and PCAFC & PGCSS expansion Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned by the Program Coordinator as needed for the benefit of the Veteran, family, and quality of services provided Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm. Telework: Authorized; 1-2 days per pay period Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000

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: 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. 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. English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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-9: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-11 Education, Experience or Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice GS-12 Education/Experience/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: 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with direct caregiver and Veteran assessments to assess caregiver stress/burden. Awareness of clinical interventions to facilitate the treatment of caregiver stress, psychiatric illness, emotional distress, and social needs. 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. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. The incumbent must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the applicant or others. Position requires walking throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams. Position requires travel into the community to provide clinical support to Veterans in their homes and meet with community agencies and partners who aid, help, and provide support to the Caregiver Support Program, its Veterans, and caregivers. In the performance of duties, the incumbent is required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. This position is telework eligible and requires travel.

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 Edward Hines Junior Hospital 5000 South 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141 US
• Name: Amy McCrary
• Phone: (708)953-5124
• Email: [email protected]