Occupational Therapist (HBPC)

• The Occupational Therapist at this grade level practices independently and is responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools.
• The OT at this grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career developmental 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 and receive guidance from more experienced therapists.
• Develops 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.
• Serves as the HBPC Occupational Therapist and is responsible for providing comprehensive evaluation for all OT needs of HBPC and PMRS patients. This may require an: assessment of mentation relative to successful therapy participation neuromuscular status respiratory status and functional capabilities. Evaluation requires an understanding of all basic underlying medical conditions and past orthopedic cardiac or neurological problems. Frequency duration and discharge planning will be addressed. Maintains and submits documentation relative to patient visits in the electronic health record.
• Determines attainable goals for each patient and designs the initial treatment plan. Modifications are made as the patient progresses and goals are met.
• Provides OT to acutely and chronically ill patients requiring ongoing assessment and frequent treatment modifications.
• Recommends equipment the patient will need for optimal functioning in their home environment.
• Attends conferences workshops and other continuing education programs to gain insight into therapeutic and motivational patient strategies. Attendees are expected to disseminate this learned information to appropriate staff via report; in-service or case study presentation.
• Provides formal and informal Nursing and support staff education including but not limited to proper utilization of ambulation aids proper wheelchair seating activities of daily living status and range of motion.
• Communicate patient progress and proposed OT interventions to facilitate that progress via electronic notes phone or staff meetings.
• Is an active participant in weekly interdisciplinary HBPC team meetings. This involves providing up to-date assessments and progress toward functional goals.
• Assesses patient/family educational needs abilities and barriers to learning. From this information the Occupational Therapist establishes appropriate educational agendas. The therapist instructs the patient and/or caregiver in therapeutic exercises living environment safety strategies to enhance activities of daily living (ADL) status work simplification and the appropriate utilization of
  durable medical equipment or prosthetics and related topics.
• Assists during emergency situations including initiating and/or assisting with basic life support/ CPR.
• Demonstrates Patient Centered Care (PCC) through the use of effective communication with patients families visitors and members of the interdisciplinary team including the patient in mutual goal setting and providing patient advocacy when appropriate.
• Visibly demonstrates the ICARE (Integrity Commitment Advocacy Respect Excellence) Core Values in interactions with Veterans staff and other stakeholders.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30PM
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:10251F 10043F 10044F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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.

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.(1) 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.
• Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.(Documentation required)
• 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.(Copy required)

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GRADE REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.

GS-9 Grade Requirements:
Education Experience or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

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.

GS-11 Grade Requirements:
Education Experience or Licensure: Must have one of the following:
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.

AND
GS-11 KSAs: In addition to the above 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.

OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools. The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs 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. Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions. OTs 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.

GS-12 Grade Requirements: In addition to the above must demonstrate all of the following KSAs
Education Experience and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level and directly related to the position being filled.

AND
GS-12 KSAs:
In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all 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.

OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety wellness and performance in ADL instrumental IADL education work play leisure and social participation. 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 within VHA and provide professional independent occupational therapy services. OTs at this level may be given assignments in any area where 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. 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).

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.

Physical Requirements: There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients and potential to lift 50 pounds.