Occupational Therapist

30 Day Hiring Model:

The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination faster assessments and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent predictable and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty.

What Applicants Can Expect:

• Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes Human Resources will quickly review applications issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration.
• Quick Interviews & References

HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager.

• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer applicants should be prepared to complete required steps such as fingerprinting and background check credentialing and medical examination within 3 days of the offer.
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones including referral tentative offer and onboarding instructions

After meeting pre-employment requirements candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service.

If selected applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing.

Duties include but not limited to the following:

• Practices independently and provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment to Veterans across assigned program areas within VHA.
• Performs detailed examinations using standardized and non-standardized assessment tools to evaluate functional abilities occupational performance rehabilitation needs and potential for improvement.
• Selects provides and modifies occupational therapy interventions of varying complexity to support safety wellness independence and participation in meaningful daily activities.
• Uses motivational strategies to support patient engagement and adapts equipment and therapeutic procedures to meet complex treatment needs.
• Evaluates patients upon referral determines individualized treatment plans and makes referrals to interdisciplinary professionals or specialty clinics such as mobility clinic cardiopulmonary rehabilitation MOVE prosthetics and podiatry when clinically appropriate.
• Provides specialized evaluation and intervention related to assistive technology wheelchair seating and durable medical equipment.
• Evaluates DME needs recommends home modifications selects appropriate equipment for home exercise programs self-care tasks mobility and transfers and determines safe and effective strategies for functioning in the home environment.
• Reviews medical documentation from external providers to determine appropriateness of occupational therapy consults and follows established clinical triage and scheduling guidelines.
• Maintains timely and thorough clinical documentation including care plans initial assessments progress notes and specialty protocols.
• Develops and implements patient education materials based on current evidence and provides in-service education and clinical training programs for staff students and trainees.
• Designs and evaluates educational experiences in occupational therapy subject matter and serves as a Clinical Instructor and role model for occupational therapy students.
• Provides instruction and evaluation for students from accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs during clinical affiliations.
• Demonstrates skills and professional behaviors that support student learning and serves as a clinical instructor and role model within the Occupational Therapy section.
• Participates in interdisciplinary rounds as a clinical liaison and collaborates with team members across the continuum of care to support coordinated Veteran-centered treatment.
• Maintains timely and complete clinical documentation in accordance with VHA and service requirements.
• Ancillary administrative assignments may be completed occasionally when advanced specialized knowledge is not required.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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 evaluation.
• 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.
• English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• 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;
  • Bachelors degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field;
  • Masters Degree or higher in occupational therapy.
• Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.
• 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.

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.

Note: 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 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:

Grade GS-9: None beyond the basic requirements.

Grade GS-11:

• Experience/Education.
  • Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; OR
  • Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field OR
  • Doctorate in occupational therapy.
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities.
  • Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.
  • Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans including goals and methods of treatment.
  • Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
  • Skill in monitoring an individuals response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.
  • Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients family members caregivers interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
  • Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
  • Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.

Grade GS-12:

• Experience. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities.
  • 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.
  • Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders.
  • 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.
  • Skill in procuring fabricating adjusting adapting and modifying orthoses splints and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).
  • Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training.

Preferred 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-9 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.