Career Center

Licensed Occupational Therapist is responsible for independent provision of comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. They will select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity. This position is located in the outpatient setting at the Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital. 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. 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/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. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist, GS-9 Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Individuals assigned at the GS-9 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems. The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently. OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists. OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed OT. Occupational Therapist, 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; OR, Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR, 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: 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. Assignment. OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools. The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety, wellness, performance in activities of daily living (ADL); and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions. Occupational Therapist, GS-12 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 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. 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. Assignment. OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. OTs demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. Preferred Experience: 2+ years of outpatient experience treating ortho patients Expertise in conducting evaluations for home safety and home modifications Experience completing occupational therapy services via telehealth References: VA Handbook 5005/127 December 13, 2019 PART II APPENDIX G14 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-09 to GS-12. ["Duties include but are not limited to the following; Perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial Evaluates patients of varying complexity to determine functional status, identifies problems and needs for individualized therapy treatment. Demonstrates the ability to serve as a consultant for health care providers regarding the delivery of occupational therapy services to patients who have experienced multiple traumas. Knowledge and skill in a range of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence based practice. Working knowledge of occupational therapy interventions and treatment modalities used in the clinical setting for veterans who have suffered multiple traumas. Independently plans and develops comprehensive occupational therapy programs to meet patients' needs. Knowledge in evaluating and treating patients who have experienced limb loss, traumatic brain injuries, neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction and spinal cord injuries. Skills in performing and interpreting specialized evaluative procedures and tests. Responsible for comprehensive evaluations of patients for DME and orthotics including procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of DME, mobility aids, bracing and other adaptive equipment). Utilizes 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. Completes the FIM and/or other measurement scales as requested at admission and discharge. complete interim FIM if indicated by circumstances/length of stay. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate treatment outcomes of occupational therapy interventions. Demonstrates skills in teaching body mechanics to patients and caregivers to minimize risk of injury. Communicates and works effectively with health care providers in coordinating the patients' total care. Understands rationale for all clinic procedures and has good operating knowledge of all equipment available for occupational therapy treatments. Assists in the development of standards of care to ensure compliance with professional accrediting organizations including TJC (The Joint Commission) and CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.) Guides and evaluates the work of an interdisciplinary team related to each patient's progress in occupational therapy. Maintains all data for quality assurance monitoring and evaluates data at specific intervals. Maintains adequate level of supplies. Maintains equipment in safe and operable condition through inspection and submission of work orders, as necessary. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not require"]