Occupational Therapist
The position is located in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA. The Occupational Therapist practices independently and is responsible for performing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions. The Occupational Therapist demonstrates 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. Assignment is in the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program which is covered by Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services in the assigned area. The Occupational Therapist may be given general assignments in any occupational therapy program area where the advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis. The Occupational Therapist 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). Duties include but not limited to:
Consults with physicians and makes recommendations for plan of treatment. Evaluates referred patients to determine current level of functioning (e.g. range of motion, pain, strength, movement mechanics, posture, coordination, perception, coordination, self-care, homemaking, work performance, orthotic needs) using standardized or specialized tests, interviews, observations, medical record review, and consultation with other professional staff. Provides information to physicians for use in differential diagnosis. Develops rehabilitation objectives, in collaboration with the patient, in the form of a treatment intervention plan that includes short and long term goals. Interventions to attain goals include but are not limited to:
therapeutic exercise, muscle re-education, perceptual motor integration, fabrication and applications of orthotics and devices for daily living, instruction in compensatory techniques, and provision of patient/family education. Re-evaluates the patient's status on a regular basis and adjusts the treatment plan appropriately. Documents in the medical record:
results of the initial evaluation; the treatment plan and goals; progress reports that include the treatment provided Changes in the patient's functional status, and changes made to the treatment plan; a discharge summary that includes goal achievement, recommendations for home program , and patient/family education. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and other disciplines in developing the patient care plan; advises the interdisciplinary team of treatment outcomes, current status of the patient, and progress toward goals. Evaluates the patient's living environment through home visits or consultation with patient, family, significant others or home health professionals to assist in solving problems associated with community re-entry. Applies all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and environmental maintenance. 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:
Graduation from a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations to include an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). The ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Certification/Examination:
Possession of written documentation that the individual has passed the entry-level certification examination for OTs which is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).State Licensure/Certification/Registration/Trademark (hereafter referred to as state regulatory requirement). 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. English Language Proficiency:
OTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook. Grade Determinations:
GS-11 Occupational Therapist Education and
Experience:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience and a broader scope of experience equivalent to the next lower grade 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. Physical Requirements:
The incumbent may engage in the following activities/position/tasks as defined by the 1991 Dictionary of Occupational Titles and to Selected Characteristics of Occupations Found in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles:
a. Position:
Occasional Standing/Walking/Sitting b. Weight/Force:
Occasional Lifting/Carrying/Pushing/Pulling up to 50 pounds c. Agility:
Occasional Stooping/Crouchingd. Dexterity:
Frequent Handling/Fingeringe. Coordination:
Frequent Talking/Hearingf. Vision/Hearing:
Frequent Near Acuity/Depth Perception/Accommodation; Occasional Color Vision/Field of Visiong. Motor Vehicle Operation:
Occasional Demonstrated KSAOs:
In addition to the basic requirements, individuals assigned as GS-11 Occupational Therapists must demonstrate all of the following KSAOs:
1. Knowledge of advanced occupational therapy techniques to perform functions associated within the occupational therapy scope of practice. 2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. 3. Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques. 4. Knowledge of principles and techniques in the Occupational Therapy assessment and treatment of occupational, cognitive, and psychological functional deficits. 5. Ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care providers. 6. Ability to facilitate and instruct in-service and clinical training programs. 7. Knowledge and ability to apply all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and environmental maintenance. Assignment:
OTs at this grade level must meet state regulatory requirements for assignment at this grade level, and are considered to be at the full performance level. Staff OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for performing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions. Staff 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 which are covered by Rehabilitation Services and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services in the assigned area. OTs at this level may be given general assignments in any occupational therapy program area where the 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 or may serve as the sole OT at a less complex facility. 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).References:
VA Handbook 5005/25, Part II, Appendix G14The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Preferred
Experience:
Experience providing Occupational Therapy services in the home environment.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Consults with physicians and makes recommendations for plan of treatment. Evaluates referred patients to determine current level of functioning (e.g. range of motion, pain, strength, movement mechanics, posture, coordination, perception, coordination, self-care, homemaking, work performance, orthotic needs) using standardized or specialized tests, interviews, observations, medical record review, and consultation with other professional staff. Provides information to physicians for use in differential diagnosis. Develops rehabilitation objectives, in collaboration with the patient, in the form of a treatment intervention plan that includes short and long term goals. Interventions to attain goals include but are not limited to:
therapeutic exercise, muscle re-education, perceptual motor integration, fabrication and applications of orthotics and devices for daily living, instruction in compensatory techniques, and provision of patient/family education. Re-evaluates the patient's status on a regular basis and adjusts the treatment plan appropriately. Documents in the medical record:
results of the initial evaluation; the treatment plan and goals; progress reports that include the treatment provided Changes in the patient's functional status, and changes made to the treatment plan; a discharge summary that includes goal achievement, recommendations for home program , and patient/family education. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and other disciplines in developing the patient care plan; advises the interdisciplinary team of treatment outcomes, current status of the patient, and progress toward goals. Evaluates the patient's living environment through home visits or consultation with patient, family, significant others or home health professionals to assist in solving problems associated with community re-entry. Applies all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and environmental maintenance. 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:
Graduation from a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations to include an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). The ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Certification/Examination:
Possession of written documentation that the individual has passed the entry-level certification examination for OTs which is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).State Licensure/Certification/Registration/Trademark (hereafter referred to as state regulatory requirement). 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. English Language Proficiency:
OTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook. Grade Determinations:
GS-11 Occupational Therapist Education and
Experience:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience and a broader scope of experience equivalent to the next lower grade 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. Physical Requirements:
The incumbent may engage in the following activities/position/tasks as defined by the 1991 Dictionary of Occupational Titles and to Selected Characteristics of Occupations Found in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles:
a. Position:
Occasional Standing/Walking/Sitting b. Weight/Force:
Occasional Lifting/Carrying/Pushing/Pulling up to 50 pounds c. Agility:
Occasional Stooping/Crouchingd. Dexterity:
Frequent Handling/Fingeringe. Coordination:
Frequent Talking/Hearingf. Vision/Hearing:
Frequent Near Acuity/Depth Perception/Accommodation; Occasional Color Vision/Field of Visiong. Motor Vehicle Operation:
Occasional Demonstrated KSAOs:
In addition to the basic requirements, individuals assigned as GS-11 Occupational Therapists must demonstrate all of the following KSAOs:
1. Knowledge of advanced occupational therapy techniques to perform functions associated within the occupational therapy scope of practice. 2. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. 3. Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques. 4. Knowledge of principles and techniques in the Occupational Therapy assessment and treatment of occupational, cognitive, and psychological functional deficits. 5. Ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care providers. 6. Ability to facilitate and instruct in-service and clinical training programs. 7. Knowledge and ability to apply all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and environmental maintenance. Assignment:
OTs at this grade level must meet state regulatory requirements for assignment at this grade level, and are considered to be at the full performance level. Staff OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for performing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions. Staff 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 which are covered by Rehabilitation Services and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services in the assigned area. OTs at this level may be given general assignments in any occupational therapy program area where the 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 or may serve as the sole OT at a less complex facility. 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).References:
VA Handbook 5005/25, Part II, Appendix G14The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Preferred
Experience:
Experience providing Occupational Therapy services in the home environment.
- Department:
0631 Occupational Therapist - Salary Range:
$73,767 to $95,903 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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