Occupational Therapist (PMRS)

Summary Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking two highly qualified Occupational Therapists to join the Bay Pines VA Health Care System

• one position based in Bay Pines, FL, and the other in Cape Coral, FL. These Occupational Therapists will provide comprehensive occupational therapy services aimed at improving Veterans' functional independence and quality of life. Duties Reviews incoming referrals for appropriateness and independently evaluates patients problems to determine their occupational therapy needs through the use of standard tests and measurements adapting and modifying treatment plans to meet the needs of patients. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application. Provides accurate written and/or verbal documentation of patient status and progress, treatment program plans and patient response to treatment. Schedules patient visits throughout the day allowing for adequate individual treatment time as well as necessary time for conferences and any administrative tasks. Consults with patients and their families through patient family education, training, advising them in the nature of their medical condition and by providing home programs. Supports and is involved in teamwork and/or team building both within the OTs service and other services. Represents Occupational Therapy/PM&RS at interdisciplinary team meetings and provides in-service training to hospital staff as needed. Maintains and carries out all hospital and service policies and philosophies. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Bay Pines: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00am-4:30pm; Cape Coral: Monday
• Friday 0800-4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21910F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Qualifications 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. 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: Bachelor's 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 Bachelor's 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 Master's 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 20824-122 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. 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. 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 requirements. 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-9: Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist, GS-11: Education, Experience, or Licensure: 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 (KSAs): In addition to the experience or education requirements above, for the GS-11 level for this position, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 individual's 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. Occupational Therapist, GS-12: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 independen