This Occupational Therapist (OT) position serves as a consultant and subject matter expert in the evaluation and treatment of upper extremity (UE) dysfunction working collaboratively with both orthopedic and plastic surgeons in this highly skilled area. The OT UE clinical specialist performs occupational therapy care for Veterans with upper extremity trauma, having a variety of disabilities both pre and post operatively. The therapist maintains a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential.

Duties

The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following : Evaluating and treating patients Upper Extremity areas that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. Planning and implementing treatment programs. Adapting, and modifying intervention plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of upper extremity trauma patients, related to amputation, tendon repairs, postoperative injuries, and prevention treatments. Evaluates for, fabricates, modifies, and fits hand and upper extremity orthotic devices ranging from simple to extremely complex in nature. Educates patients and families about disease process, purpose of treatment, application, and care of thermoplastic orthoses to improve compliance with treatment. Coordinates scheduling for all hand therapy consults for new postoperative patients. Treats patients using standardized and recognized assessments and treatment modalities. Documents appropriately and timely in each patients electronic record. Works cooperatively with other specialties to provide seamless rehabilitation treatment for patients who may require interdisciplinary and complex care. Assigns and supervises subordinate Occupational Therapy staff, trainees, and volunteers in the delivery or support of treatment and education to patients and caregivers. Actively participates and assists with student education and training in the specialty or program area as required following standards set forth by the American Occupational Therapy Association and VA. Responsible for performance improvement monitoring including participation in the formulation of monitors, data collections, peer reviews, and preparation of reports in accordance with VA and JCAHO guidelines. Responsible for ordering supplies and clinic maintenance. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 689-FS0000 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) (a)). Education and/or Experience: The individual must meet one of the following requirements below for Education and/ or Experience: (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. Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist. 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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 (Clinical Specialist), GS-13. In addition to the basic requirements of this occupation applicants must meet grade determining requirements the as stated in number 1 and 2 below: (1) Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one full 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) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; (c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or (d) An additional advanced degree in a related field. AND (2) Demonstrated KSAs: 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. Preferred Experience: Certified Hand Therapy Credential Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Promotion Potential: This vacancy is GS-13 which is above the full performance level of this occupation. 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.

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.

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 West Haven VA Medical Center 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 US
• Name: Karen Terebesi
• Phone: (203) 951-9651
• Email: [email protected]