NYS SOciety of ORTHOPAEDIC Surgeons

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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. Education and/or Experience. (1) 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. OR (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. c. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. d. 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). Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation. Employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) They may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) If an OT who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. (3) OTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) OTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist, GS-12 - 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. 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. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services. OTs at this level may be given assignments in any area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). Preferred Experience: Prefer therapists with 2+ years experience as an OT. Prefer at least 1 year of experience with home safety evaluations and wheeled mobility prescription, fitting and education. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/127, DECEMBER 13, 2019, PART II APPENDIX Gl4The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, use of fingers, both hands required, reaching above shoulder, walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours), both legs required (1 prosthetic), far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability. Will meet and maintain physical and drug test program requirements for the position as required. Assessed by occupational health to meet physical requirement to drive a government vehicle, per medical center guidelines. ["The incumbent is assigned to the Occupational Therapy Department within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&R) at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which is a Complexity Level 1B facility. The therapist spends at least 25% of their time performing in-home home safety evaluations for patients in the Washington DC catchment area. The remainder of the time will include virtual assessments for home safety, caregiver and patient education and follow up as well occupational therapy at the Washington DC VA Medical Center. Clinical: Responsible for the examination and treatment of patients referred for Occupational Therapy. Assesses patient dysfunction using appropriate tests/tools. Establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the DC VA Medical Center. Resolves problems that interfere with delivery of occupational therapy care. Demonstrates the teaching skills required to provide education to patients, family members, caregivers, employees, students, and coworkers. Communicates effectively with other internal and external health care providers. Functions autonomously in carrying out patient education, specialized treatments, and applying occupational therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and AOTA documents. Modifying the treatment plan, therapeutic activities and interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of the patient. Modifying the treatment plan when either the established goals or timeframes for achievement of those goals has been attained. Reviews and triages Home Safety OT consults with scheduling guidance provided according to medical center guidelines. The incumbent will demonstrate the ability to evaluate diverse Veteran diagnoses, using a variety of evaluation methods to include telehealth, telephone, clinic based and home-based evaluations to obtain and interpret data necessary for treatment planning and implementation. The incumbent will develop quantitative and realistic goals and plans. Conducts home evaluations, via telehealth or in-home visits, to assess Veteran's need for adaptive equipment, mobility equipment, architectural barriers and home modification. Provides clinical consultation on the need for use of HISA grant benefit Orders durable medical equipment for patients and follows up on safe use of this equipment Provides clinical recommendations based on findings through patient and family education. Assists supervisor planning and developing various treatment programs to meet patient needs, as requested. Documentation: Performs competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes, and discharge summaries in a timely manner in compliance with medical center guidelines. Demonstrates advanced competency in knowledge of electronic documentation and computer skills. Follows government and medical center guidelines for placing consults to purchase equipment and/or use HISA grant funding. Increases knowledge and skills by engaging in continuing education activities in the field of occupational therapy, geriatrics, assistive technology and home modifications and access. Assists with orientation of new occupational therapy staff and trainees. Assists occupational therapy supervisor for clinical education in developing and upgrading student training program content as appropriate. Administrative Responsibilities: Maintaining state licensure and CPR certification. Maintaining active NBCOT certification. Maintaining active, current driver's license as well as compliance with medical center requirements to drive a government vehicle. Completing all VAMC mandatory training in a timely manner. Completing encounter information in accordance with DC VA Medical Center guidelines. Using the computer system for storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, transmitting and receiving e-mail, activating printers, requesting leave, and accessing the computerized medical chart Quality Assurance (QA) / Quality Improvement (QI): Assists in the development, planning and implementation of monitors of quality of care with respect to PM&RS as part of the comprehensive health care services delivered to the patients within the DC VA Medical Center. Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the supervisor. Reviews and makes recommendations on supply and equipment acquisition. Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Contact Rudy Pearson, Rudy.Pearson@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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