Occupational Therapist - Home Health

Full Job Description

This position provides in-home Occupational Therapy (OT) services to the Veterans enrolled in the Iowa City VA Health Care System (ICVAHCS).

The incumbent independently evaluates, develops, and implements treatment programs for the Home Health (HH) population.

This position is located within the Rehabilitation Department of the Rehabilitation and Extended Care (REC) Service Line.

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: (a) United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

(b) Education/Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).

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 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. 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.

(d) Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.

(e) 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: (1) 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.

(3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.

(f) Grandfathering Provision: 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).

(g) English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS: Occupational Therapist, GS-11 (a) 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.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate 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 (a) 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.

(b) Demonstrated GS-12 level 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 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS11 to GS12.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Major Duties:

Major duties include but are not limited to: Interprets evaluation findings to develop measurable and realistic goals and intervention plans.

Monitors patient's response to treatment plan and modify treatment plan, interventions, and support services accordingly.

Adapts assessment tools and treatments to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities, as demonstrates the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques.

Independently selects and administers standardized and non-standardized assessments including a wide range of psychosocial, cognitive, and physical assessments appropriate for patient population in order to administer a comprehensive evaluation.

Develops appropriate home or community programming to maintain and enhance the performance of the patient in his/her own environment.

Conducts home visits to assess patient's need for adaptive equipment, architectural barriers, and home modifications.

Maintains consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted OT practice, facility and Rehabilitation Department policies and procedures.

Communicates and/or collaborates with the patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals, or other individuals verbally and in writing.

Participates in interdisciplinary meetings as scheduled and appropriate. Volunteers and takes an active part any issues related to their primary assigned clinic.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm CST 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