Occupational Therapist (EDRP Authorized)

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Evaluates develops and implements appropriate occupational therapytreatment to address both activities of daily living and instrumental activities of dailyliving range of motion muscle strength coordination pain motor skills functional
• ability home safety environmental accessibility cognitive function sensory/ perceptual function and social needs. Addresses the Veterans rehabilitation potential behavior and any psychosocial aspects of care. Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them are developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation.
• Administers and interprets recognized tests and measurements to determine baseline level of functioning and treatment applications which will enable patients to achieve valued functional outcomes. Documents results as established in Scopes of Assessments and makes clinical treatment recommendations. Independently plans coordinates and carries out treatment program and re-evaluates and adjusts OT treatment as appropriate. Responsible for the management and organization of the treatment area and works independently in planning and carrying out a treatment program to meet complex treatment objectives.
• Problems not covered by guides are solved independently by utilizing specialized skills knowledge and experience. Independently solves complex problems related to OT. Adapts and modifies treatment plans activities and procedures to meet the needs of the Veterans. Conducts and documents PM&RS screening assessments in compliance with Joint Commission Standards and CARF making recommendations for treatment to meet a wide variety of complex rehabilitation needs and responds to requests/referrals for treatment. Serves as the PM&RS member of the respective interdisciplinary treatment teams.
• Provides Veteran with splints and/or adaptive equipment as needed to attain treatment goals. Educates Veteran and significant other in the proper application/installation/use for a specific device.
• Monitors Veterans response to program summarizes and analyzes Veterans performance and modifies program and goals when necessary to meet Veterans needs as situations and performance changes to attain projected functional outcomes. Consults as needed with ward team members as to the progress and changing needs. Re-administers evaluations using established methods of measurement to document changes in Veteran performance as it relates to projected outcome levels. Regularly writes progress notes in the electronic record evaluating Veterans response to treatment analyzing treatment plans progress symptoms attitudes and reactions and record changes in treatment activities according to established policies procedures and time frames. Independently develops plans coordinates and initiates new programs activities and procedures to meet needs of Veterans with complex problems/disabilities as well as the specific needs of the general population of patients.
• Maintains professional competency through documented and appropriate continuing education for professional and personal growth. Maintains professional state licensure and national certification. Maintains membership in professional organizations and reads current literature.
• Adheres to established standards policies and procedures set forth by section service and medical center. Participates in quality assurance activities and review including chart reviews peer reviews Veteran care monitoring and Veteran satisfaction surveys.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 55830-F (GS-12)
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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 identification 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.

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.
  • 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
    • (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.
  • (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. 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.
  • 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.
  • e. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
  • f. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
  • g. Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.
    • 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).
    • 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.
    • A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirement.
    • 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 (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.


Occupational Therapist GS-12:

• (1)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.
• (2)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:

1. Experience providing outpatient occupational therapy services upper extremity and hand conditions
2. Demonstrated experience to complete comprehensive assessments and rehabilitation treatment of functional status for basic and instrumental activities of daily living to include functional cognition.

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 GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Activities may require prolonged standing extensive walking bending push/pulling and lifting. Hazards include risk of exposure to communicable diseases toxic substances electrical hazards and risk of physical injury associated with patients with the potential to lose control or irrational behavior. Must be able to operate a vehicle and possess the ability to drive long distances and access homes that may be in poor condition and have poor environmental controls.