This position serves as senior evaluator and coordinator of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) Mobility and Seating Clinics located at the Hampton VA Medical Center. The incumbent will coordinate services of mobility and seating clinic therapists, Prosthetic Department resources and external vendors to meet demand for manual wheelchair and power mobility services

Duties

The duties of the Clinical Occupational Therapist include, but are not limited to: Evaluates, develops and implements appropriate occupational therapy treatment to address both manual and power mobility needs, specialized seating, activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, motor function and cognitive function. Administers and interprets recognized tests and measurements to determine baseline level of' functioning and treatment applications which will enable patients to achieve valued functional outcomes. Documents results as established in scopes of practice and makes recommendations. Independently plans and coordinates services of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) Mobility and Seating Clinics to meet objectives established by the Occupational Therapy Supervisor. Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out specialized treatment programs related to seating and mobility needs; re-evaluates and adjusts treatment as appropriate. Work independently in planning and carrying out treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives. Problems not covered by guides are solved independently by utilizing specialized skills, knowledge and experience. Independently solves complex problems related to occupational therapy and wheelchair, seating and power mobility. Adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities and procedures to meet the needs of the patients. Elicits patient participation in implementing occupational therapy objectives in restoring or maintaining patient performance. Independently employs different motivational techniques to ensure patient participation in treatment program where objectives are difficult to achieve because of severity or complexity of disabilities. Determines need for orthotic or assistive/adaptive devices/equipment and training. Provides patient with splints and/or adaptive equipment as needed to attain treatment goals. Educates patient and significant other in the proper application/installation/use for a specific device. Monitors patient's response to program, summarizes and analyzes patient's performance, and modifies program and goals when necessary to meet patient's needs as situations and performance changes to attain projected functional outcomes. Consults as needed with other staff as to progress and changing needs. Re-administers evaluations using established methods of measurement to document changes in patient performance as it relates to projected outcome levels. Regularly writes progress notes in the electronic record evaluating patient's response to treatment, analyzing treatment plans, progress, symptoms, attitudes and reactions and record changes in treatment activities per established policies, procedures and time frames. Independently develops, plans, coordinates and initiates new programs, activities and procedures to meet needs of patients with complex problems/disabilities as well as the specific needs of the general population of patients. Work Schedule: Full-time Monday-Friday 08:00am- 4:30pm. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

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 Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) Education and Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (a) 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. (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. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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; or An additional advanced degree in a related field. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. (b) Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. (c) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. (e) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. (f) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. References: December 13, 2019 VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II, APPENDIX -G14. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing, walking, and sitting. Work involves constant bending, lifting, and twisting. The work requires pushing wheelchair and stretcher patients. Positioning patients who are unconscious or disabled requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions. Lifting of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of other

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 Hampton VA Medical Center 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton, VA 23667 US
• Name: Lydia Pharr
• Phone: (910)920-8709
• Email: [email protected]