Occupational Therapist
The purpose of this Occupational Therapy (OT) position is to:
Evaluate the status of Veterans being served by BEST using standardized and non-standardized evaluations. Modify the evaluation as indicated for the individual Veteran. Collaborate with other BEST members to create a plan of care for Veterans to whom they are referred. Provide OT interventions that are compatible with the BEST plan of care to enable effective interactions between Veterans and staff allowing for increased quality of life while in hospital and increasing the range of discharge options to maximize appropriate placements into least restrictive environments. Recommend changes in the hospital environment; train the family, Veteran, and floor staff in use of sensory modalities and other strategies. Make recommendations for referrals to other services that may not be a part of the Veteran's plan of care. Support and represent the team's plan of care to the Veteran and other team members. Evaluations:
The therapist evaluates primarily in the medical center. Information is gathered from the medical record, interview of the veteran and other appropriate people such as family and caregiver or other providers, observation, and standardized and non-standardized testing. Intervention:
The therapist develops a behavioral intervention plan in collaboration with the BEST members, Veteran and family, other members of the patient's inpatient care team, caregiver and social support. The interventions consider the Veteran's context, client factors and activity demands. The intervention is an accepted occupational therapy approach based on theory and evidence. Maximization of Outcomes Optimization of Health and Safety:
The therapist applies all health and safety procedures during patient care activities while on duty. Work Schedule:
M - F, with occasional holiday and weekend coverage; 8:
00am-4:
30pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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 language proficiency (written and spoken) Certification/Examination:
Possession of written documentation that the individual has passed the entry-level certification examination for OT's which is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) State Licensure/Certification/Registration:
The OT must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license, certification, or registration or trademark to practice occupational therapy in a state, territory, a commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. Preferred
Experience:
Prefer experience in OT interventions for dementia and mental illness, behavior management and sensory modulation. Grade Determinations:
GS-11:
(1) year of progressively complex experience at the GS-09 level and directly related to the position being filled, OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in Occupational Therapy or a directly related field OR a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy? Examples of specialized experience would include:
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; having a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently; having guidance from more experienced therapists. (EVIDENCE OF THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE DOCUMENTED IN YOUR RESUME/APPLICATION PACKAGE) 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 individual's 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. GS-12:
(1) year of progressively complex experience and a broader scope of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled? Examples of specialized experience would include:
practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools; modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools; 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; require guidance with higher complexity conditions; demonstrate an 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. 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005/25, Part II, Appendix G14, Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard, dated December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements:
Occupational Therapy is considered a vocation that requires medium strength according as defined by the Department of Labor. Medium Work entails:
exerting 20 - 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. (i.e.:
more than exerting of to 20 points of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.) Examples of the medium strength required by occupational therapists are as follows:
Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Climbing stairs. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts and binders. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling:
1 - 10 pounds constantly, 10 - 25 frequently, and 20 - 50 pounds occasionally. Specific examples include:
a. Picking up, carrying and placing folders, charts, books and binders. b. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment. c. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 50 pounds from OT Clinic to Veteran room. d. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and supply carts. e. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers, which may be up to 50 pounds. f. Performing passive and active assisted range of motion exercises or movement facilitation that require the movement of patients' extremities in all planes of motion. Occupational Therapy requires good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with examples as follows:
Operating all aspects of a computer, desk phone and cell phone, including keyboarding, mouse and control buttons. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of DME for patient teaching. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers. Fabricating splints or adaptive equipment requiring the use of exacto-knife, scissors and thermoplastic molding skills.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Evaluate the status of Veterans being served by BEST using standardized and non-standardized evaluations. Modify the evaluation as indicated for the individual Veteran. Collaborate with other BEST members to create a plan of care for Veterans to whom they are referred. Provide OT interventions that are compatible with the BEST plan of care to enable effective interactions between Veterans and staff allowing for increased quality of life while in hospital and increasing the range of discharge options to maximize appropriate placements into least restrictive environments. Recommend changes in the hospital environment; train the family, Veteran, and floor staff in use of sensory modalities and other strategies. Make recommendations for referrals to other services that may not be a part of the Veteran's plan of care. Support and represent the team's plan of care to the Veteran and other team members. Evaluations:
The therapist evaluates primarily in the medical center. Information is gathered from the medical record, interview of the veteran and other appropriate people such as family and caregiver or other providers, observation, and standardized and non-standardized testing. Intervention:
The therapist develops a behavioral intervention plan in collaboration with the BEST members, Veteran and family, other members of the patient's inpatient care team, caregiver and social support. The interventions consider the Veteran's context, client factors and activity demands. The intervention is an accepted occupational therapy approach based on theory and evidence. Maximization of Outcomes Optimization of Health and Safety:
The therapist applies all health and safety procedures during patient care activities while on duty. Work Schedule:
M - F, with occasional holiday and weekend coverage; 8:
00am-4:
30pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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 language proficiency (written and spoken) Certification/Examination:
Possession of written documentation that the individual has passed the entry-level certification examination for OT's which is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) State Licensure/Certification/Registration:
The OT must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license, certification, or registration or trademark to practice occupational therapy in a state, territory, a commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. Preferred
Experience:
Prefer experience in OT interventions for dementia and mental illness, behavior management and sensory modulation. Grade Determinations:
GS-11:
(1) year of progressively complex experience at the GS-09 level and directly related to the position being filled, OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in Occupational Therapy or a directly related field OR a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy? Examples of specialized experience would include:
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; having a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently; having guidance from more experienced therapists. (EVIDENCE OF THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE DOCUMENTED IN YOUR RESUME/APPLICATION PACKAGE) 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 individual's 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. GS-12:
(1) year of progressively complex experience and a broader scope of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled? Examples of specialized experience would include:
practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools; modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools; 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; require guidance with higher complexity conditions; demonstrate an 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. 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005/25, Part II, Appendix G14, Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard, dated December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements:
Occupational Therapy is considered a vocation that requires medium strength according as defined by the Department of Labor. Medium Work entails:
exerting 20 - 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. (i.e.:
more than exerting of to 20 points of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.) Examples of the medium strength required by occupational therapists are as follows:
Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Climbing stairs. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts and binders. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling:
1 - 10 pounds constantly, 10 - 25 frequently, and 20 - 50 pounds occasionally. Specific examples include:
a. Picking up, carrying and placing folders, charts, books and binders. b. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment. c. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 50 pounds from OT Clinic to Veteran room. d. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and supply carts. e. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers, which may be up to 50 pounds. f. Performing passive and active assisted range of motion exercises or movement facilitation that require the movement of patients' extremities in all planes of motion. Occupational Therapy requires good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with examples as follows:
Operating all aspects of a computer, desk phone and cell phone, including keyboarding, mouse and control buttons. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of DME for patient teaching. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers. Fabricating splints or adaptive equipment requiring the use of exacto-knife, scissors and thermoplastic molding skills.
- Department:
0631 Occupational Therapist - Salary Range:
$88,324 to $121,668 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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