Outpatient Occupational Therapist

Duties include but not limited to:

Clinical Functions - 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.
• Evaluations reflect the complexity through Occupational profile and client history; Assessments of occupational performance; Clinical decision-making and development of a patient centered plan of care.
• Evaluations include medical history results and interpretation of relevant evidence based methods and appropriate functional tests and measurements. Complex or unusual evaluations may be conducted independently or in consultation with clinical specialist.
• Demonstrates the skilled ability to evaluate client factors (specific capabilities characteristics or beliefs) performance skills (motor skills processing skills and social interaction) performance patterns (habits routines and roles) environment (physical & social) and context (cultural personal temporal and virtual) the therapist in this position demonstrates the ability to analyze Veterans occupational performance in order to target identified outcomes.
• Assess the patients medical conditions functional capabilities limitations restrictions and rehabilitation potential.

Treatment Implementation:

• Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective measurable goals and timeliness for completion.
• 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 techniques.
• 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.

Administration Functions:

• Understand and adheres to department program and facility procedures.
• Schedules Veterans for treatment considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team.
• Provides 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 outpatient/inpatient management and Occupational therapy via in-services and/or may mentorship projects.
• Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs.

Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Rotates to cover weekends and holiday.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.
Relocation Assistance: NotAuthorized.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave 13 days of sick leave 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth adoption or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment full time employees with a total family income below $144000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 53249-F 53250-F 53572-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

HPTs: who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.

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:

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
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
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.

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.

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.

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:

• (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.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in providing clinical guidance to OT practitioners in the Inpatient and Outpatient areas.
• 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.
• Demonstrates clinical skills for both Inpatient and Outpatient population.
• Experience in Splinting Intensive Care Units and Upper extremity rehab.
• Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization.
• 2 to 4 years of experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit 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.

Continued under additional information..........