Occupational Therapy Assistant

Summary The position is in the Occupational Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS) in the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) provides rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments that improve and/or prevent the loss of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction and promotes wellness. Duties Duties of an OTA: Provides direct and indirect occupational therapy services to address physical, psychosocial, cognitive, congenital, and/or developmental disorders or the aging process, to improve and/or prevent loss of physical or mental functioning and to promote wellness. Performs preliminary chart review including medical history and contraindications for treatment. Provides functional and purposeful interventions 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. Recommends treatment changes based on physical, mental, and/or medical status of the patient as well as reporting progress toward the attainment of established goals. Identifies and recommends adaptive and assistive devices, mobility devices, and durable medical equipment. Provides patient education in areas of occupation, assistive devices, positioning, mobility devices, and orthotics based on patient and family levels of cognition, cultural and/or behavioral variables. Documents Occupational Therapy services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by PMRS, the Medical Center, VHA policy and protocols, and other entities that may govern programs provided by the Facility. Performs non-direct patient care tasks including, but not limited to, coordinating schedules with team members and monitoring inventory of clinical supplies. Performs and assists in the day-to-day management of the mobility clinic including, but not limited to, wheelchair training and fitting, testing, equipment ordering, scheduling and follow-up as indicated. Initiates ordering, delivery and training in the use of patient specific and complex adaptive and mobility equipment in a timely, efficient, and accurate manner, utilizing the processes related to the procurement of prosthetic equipment. Carries a full patient caseload as directed by department needs. Complies with requirements to maintain prosthetic equipment supplies, providing necessary documentation of equipment provided to patients and obtaining stock replacement of equipment issued Maintains patient schedule and attendance for each patient assigned. Participates in multidisciplinary meetings including chart rounds, family conferences, and discharge planning. Participates in Occupational Therapy and service staff meetings. Presents in-services as needed or directed. Designs and /or participates in quality assurance activities as directed and has a working knowledge of departmental performance improvement projects. Issues supply/stock and submits requests to the appropriate personnel, including supervisor. Shares in the maintenance of equipment and complies with safety standards. Participates in CARF and Joint Commission activities to ensure compliance and accreditation. Assists with management of the mobility clinic at the direction of the Occupational Therapy Supervisor or Mobility Clinic Coordinator. Complies with federal, state, and local environmental and other requirements preventing pollution, minimizing waste, and conserving cultural and natural resources. Needs to have a current, valid Driver's license when required to drive a government vehicle. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not available Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 614060, 614070,614080,614090 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. 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. Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: Associate's [or higher] degree in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE. Certification. OTAs must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Licensure. OTAs must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico) or in the District of Columbia. Exceptions for Non-Certified or Non-Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (1) OTAs who graduated from an ACOTE approved occupational therapy assistant program but do not possess the NBCOT certification and/or licensure requirements, may be appointed, pending licensure and/or NBCOT certification, on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405( (2) OTAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure and/or certification are obtained. (3) OTAs may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OTA or OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.(4) Temporary OTA appointments may not be extended beyond two years. Drivers License. OTA's must possess and maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted state drivers license for this position. 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 Therapy Assistant, GS-05 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities None. Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-06 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy practice. (b) Knowledge of basic group techniques and interpersonal communication (c) Skill in written communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. (d) Skill in oral communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. (e) Ability to assist in the development of treatment goals/objectives. (f) Ability to implement a patient care plan incorporating activity analysis theory. Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-07 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. [In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in promoting occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas (b) Ability to perform in depth chart review to identify treatment goals and implement treatment plans. (c) Ability to use problem-solving skill