Summary

The Visually Impaired Services Team (VIST)-Occupational Therapist will be assigned to the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS).

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
• 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: 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: (a) 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
• (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders
• (c) 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
• (d) Skill in procuring - fabricating - adjusting - adapting - and modifying orthoses - splints - and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment)
• (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training
• 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 selected applicant must be able to lift 30 pounds.

Duties

• The VIST Coordinator has the major responsibility for the coordination of all services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members and their families through the Visual Impairment Services Team
• Case management duties may include cases that are both difficult and complex both in terms of the severity of the visual impairment and the presence of complicating physical and emotional factors impinging on treatment
• Operating within medical center and Blind Rehabilitation Service program policies - the Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator is responsible for planning - developing - implementing - directing - evaluating - and controlling the VIST program at this medical center
• Using professional and administrative skills - he/she makes the Visual Impairment Service (VIS) team and other support staff aware of complex - medical - rehabilitation - social - psychological - vocational - economic and other factors which must be considered in developing a comprehensive and sensitive rehabilitation plan including referrals to Blind Rehabilitation Centers (BRC)
• Develops screening and procedural mechanisms - which will identify this target population within the medical center's catchment area and connect with the medical center and the community in support of program goals and objectives
• The incumbent serves not only as a resource person in matters related to visual and/or arranges for the provision of appropriate treatment modalities for the purpose of enhancing the Veterans' functioning - resolving problems and meeting specific objectives established by the VIST
• The incumbent operates as an experienced professional - with full responsibility for the technical accuracy of patient evaluations and the soundness of recommendations
• After identifying the visually impaired and blinded Veteran population - provides professional assessment of health care and related needs and arranges for the full range of authorized health care services
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other specialists such as physicians - psychologist - educators - rehabilitation therapists (OT - SLP - PT - Recreation Therapy) - social workers - dietitians and other health care professionals in order to maintain a coordinated treatment program for those with multiple handicaps in addition to blindness
• Provides assistance to the medical and allied health staff with the acquisition and replacement of low vision and sensory aids to assist in the blinded Veteran's rehabilitation and/or daily living needs
• The incumbent will be primarily outpatient - however - may be consulted to see Veterans in the Community Living Center (CLC) and medical surgical units (MSU)
• The incumbent will work to ensure that older adults are able to age in place and participate in their communities despite visual impairment
• The incumbent will engage and collaborate in teams that enable working age adults with visual impairment to acquire or continue independent living and productive employment
• The incumbent manages the daily operation of the VIST program - develops policies and procedures for program operation and prepares reports and statistics for facility - VISN - and national use
• The incumbent manages and controls the use of data related to the program regarding day-to-day functioning and program evaluation
• The incumbent ensures the VIST Program is following VHA directives - and that care is rendered pursuant to the guidance of Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 4 PM Telework: Telework - if approved - would be on an ADHOC basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized