Occupational Therapist

Summary

The Occupational Therapist provides skilled occupational therapy services to the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center (OGJ VAMC) and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PM&RS) in Nursing and Patient Care Services (N&PCS). The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service.

• 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
  :
  • (a) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and at least two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist
  • (b) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field
  • (c) Master’s degree or higher in occupational therapy
• 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
• Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations, 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
• Certification
  :
  Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT (documentation required)
• 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 (copy required)
• Grade Requirements
  :
  • GS-9 – No additional education, experience, or licensure beyond the basic requirements
  • GS-11 – Must have one of the following:
    • One year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level directly related to the position
    • Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field
    • Doctorate in occupational therapy
  • GS-12 – Must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level and directly related to the position
• GS-11 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 modifying treatment plans and re-evaluating 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 KSAs
  :
  • Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence‑based practice, 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…