Occupational Therapist

In this position the Occupational Therapist/OT has skills and knowledge in techniques for applying care targeting an outpatient population (ortho neuro pain management pre/post-surgical care hand therapy etc.) OTs practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. He/she provides direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with higher degrees of complexity. The OT embraces evidenced based practice standards in diagnosis examination management intervention treatment and outcome measurement.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Patient Care:

• Performs patient evaluations.
• Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members.
• Recognizes the appropriateness of treatment based on indications precautions and contraindications (e.g. pharmacological) and uses professional judgement to initiate consultation to the appropriate provider.

• Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective measurable goals and timeliness for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient family and/or stakeholder input.
• Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: Therapeutic media lifestyle coping skills and modifications complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) cognitive therapy and mobility training to maintain or achieve veterans physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential.
• .Independently develops and implements comprehensive and advanced therapeutic programs and technique
• Recognizes and responds to adverse reactions and emergency situations of the patient during the session and modifies the plan of care. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly
• Provides the equipment materials instruction encouragement or counseling necessary to promote functional mobility and activities performance
• Demonstrates knowledge experience and skills in the prescription fitting and training in the use of specialty equipment. This includes needs for orthotics static and dynamic (custom and/or prefabricated) assistive technology wheelchair mobility lifts and lift systems devices for activities of daily living modalities (electrical stimulation ultrasound etc.) and other devices. May need consultation with more experienced clinician or clinical specialist if necessary
• Develops Home Programs for patients as indicated at discharge. Instructs significant others in ways to assist patient to carry out home program in the use of equipment and adaptive/assistive devices issued.

• Understands and adheres to department program and facility procedures.
• Receive and triage patient referrals/consults patient self-referrals adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of admission criteria for each program (inpatient/outpatient) for appropriate continuum of care placement.
• Schedules Veterans for treatment considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team
• .rovides relief coverage as needed in any PM&R program in the event of shortage of staff to maintain the continuum of patient care
• Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in assigned clinical setting.

• Identifies learning activities for self and others. Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to specialty services and outpatient management and Occupational therapy via in-services and/or mentorship projects. Conducts in services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs.
• Maintains current concepts and trends in Occupational therapy and evidence-based medicine/rehabilitation practices through literature reviews study of current research clinical practice and through attendance to continuing education courses conferences and in-services.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:
Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. 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:
(a) Bachelors 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) Bachelors 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) Masters 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.

Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification both current and in good standing must be removed from the occupation which may result in termination of employment.

Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.
(1) OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure may be appointed pending certification and/or licensure as a graduate OT on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2).
(2) Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained. For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level the OT must be certified and licensed.
(3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
(4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation. More information: Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard

Grade Determinations:
Occupational Therapist GS-09
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. (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or (c) 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:

• (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.
• (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans including goals and methods of treatment.
• (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
• (d) Skill in monitoring an individuals response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.
• (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients family members caregivers interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
• (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
• (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.