Occupational Therapist (HUD-VASH)
The nature of work for this position is to promote outpatient veterans' maximum level of independence and safety in the performance of everyday activities at home and in the community to support their transition from homeless to housed. Thus, the nature of the work requires good knowledge in the theories, principles, and methodologies of the practice of OT and the ability to apply them to the imminently or recently housed population, the ability to think critically, communicate, and collaborate clearly with others, verbally and in writing, and flexibility to respond to changing circumstances. The nature of the work requires the ability to adapt OT methods to a variety of patient conditions, including complex medical, social, mental health and addiction conditions. The incumbent works in collaboration with members of the Housing and Urban Development-Department of Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, though independently applies OT principles. S/he may seek assistance for conditions that are unusual, complex or require highly specialized OT interventions from the OT supervisor and/or HUD-VASH colleagues. The OT evaluations and interventions will address the veterans' strengths and limitations related to their ability to live safely and effectively in the community and engage in meaningful activities. Thus, the OT will offer interventions that promote optimum performance skills (motor, process and communication) and client factors (mental, sensory, movement). These skills and factors include, but are not limited to:
using durable medical equipment (DME) to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), arranging the living space so it is safe and functional, managing time, medication, meals and finances, attaining and maintaining employment or volunteer positions, parenting, and maintaining medical appointments. OT services may be provided individually or in groups. Work Schedule:
8:
00am to 4:
30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentive:
Has not been authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Note:
This position is covered under the bargaining unit Applicants pending the completion of 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 and/or Experience. (1) The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
(a) 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 (b) 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 (c) 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements stated above if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license. 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. Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met. 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 above, the candidate 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 individual's 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. 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 KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14 Physical Requirements:
Occupational Therapy is considered a vocation that requires medium strength according to the Department of Labor. Medium Work entails:
exerting 20 - 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. (i.e.:
more than exerting of to 20 points of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.) Examples of the medium strength required by occupational therapists are as follows:
1. Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Walking outdoor distances of approximately one block, ascending and descending stairs. 2. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts and binders. 3. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling:
1 - 10 pounds constantly, 10 - 25 frequently, and 20 - 50 pounds occasionally. Specific examples include:
a. Picking up, carrying and placing folders, charts, books and binders. b. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment. c. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 50 pounds. d. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and supply carts. e. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers, which may be up to 50 pounds. f. Performing passive range of motion exercises that require the movement of patients' extremities in all planes of motion. 4. Driving a vehicle, car or van, and operation of all vehicle functions, including van lift to load and unload wheelchairs or scooters. B. Occupational Therapy requires good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with examples as follows:
1. Operating all aspects of a computer - keyboarding, mouse and control buttons. 2. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of DME for patient teaching. 3. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers. 4. Fabricating splints or adaptive equipment requiring the use of exacto knife, scissors and thermoplastic molding skills.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
using durable medical equipment (DME) to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), arranging the living space so it is safe and functional, managing time, medication, meals and finances, attaining and maintaining employment or volunteer positions, parenting, and maintaining medical appointments. OT services may be provided individually or in groups. Work Schedule:
8:
00am to 4:
30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentive:
Has not been authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Note:
This position is covered under the bargaining unit Applicants pending the completion of 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 and/or Experience. (1) The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
(a) 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 (b) 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 (c) 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements stated above if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license. 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. Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met. 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 above, the candidate 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 individual's 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. 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 KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14 Physical Requirements:
Occupational Therapy is considered a vocation that requires medium strength according to the Department of Labor. Medium Work entails:
exerting 20 - 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. (i.e.:
more than exerting of to 20 points of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.) Examples of the medium strength required by occupational therapists are as follows:
1. Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Walking outdoor distances of approximately one block, ascending and descending stairs. 2. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, charts and binders. 3. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling:
1 - 10 pounds constantly, 10 - 25 frequently, and 20 - 50 pounds occasionally. Specific examples include:
a. Picking up, carrying and placing folders, charts, books and binders. b. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment. c. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 50 pounds. d. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs and supply carts. e. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers, which may be up to 50 pounds. f. Performing passive range of motion exercises that require the movement of patients' extremities in all planes of motion. 4. Driving a vehicle, car or van, and operation of all vehicle functions, including van lift to load and unload wheelchairs or scooters. B. Occupational Therapy requires good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with examples as follows:
1. Operating all aspects of a computer - keyboarding, mouse and control buttons. 2. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of DME for patient teaching. 3. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as screwdrivers and pliers. 4. Fabricating splints or adaptive equipment requiring the use of exacto knife, scissors and thermoplastic molding skills.
- Department:
0631 Occupational Therapist - Salary Range:
$64,535 to $121,668 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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