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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more 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: 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. 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 Association. 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. 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. 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: 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. AND In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. These are the KSA's for this subject position: At the GS 12 Level (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, Occupational Therapist Qualification Standards GS-631, December 12, 2019. This may also be located in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires exerting 20 to 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 up 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 medium strength by Occupational Therapists are as follows: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, and sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Walking in urban, suburban, and rural environments from the vehicle to the patient's home. Climbing stairs. Driving to patient home locations. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp, and place papers, charts, and binders. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly, 10-25 pounds frequently, and 20-50 pounds occasionally. ["The Birmingham VA Healthcare System is soliciting applications for one part-time Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Occupational Therapists. The nature of the work of this position is to perform occupational therapy duties as a member of the HBPC team, support the goals of the HBPC program, and to provide clinical, administrative, logistical, and regulatory experience. The position reports to the Chief of Geriatrics and Extended Care Service. Duties of the position include but are not limited to: Functions with a high degree of autonomy to independently evaluate, plan, integrate and implement occupational therapy in the HBPC program. Directs appropriate treatment for a wide variety of functional levels and modifies treatment based on changing medical conditions or complex disabilities. Independently evaluates and treats Veterans referred to HBPC for occupational therapy services. Collaborates with team physician for consultation with other rehabilitation services. Evaluates the patient's home, on admission and annual and as clinically indicated. Identify the need for structural modifications and adaptive equipment to improve the safety and accessibility of the home environment. Determines the need for durable medical equipment (DME), order the equipment, justify special requests. Teach the Veteran and/or caregiver(s) to safely use and maintain the DME in the home. Establishes therapeutic programs for patient and caregivers to maximize for maintain the patient's functional status and monitor response. Participates in the development of the individual plan of care at interdisciplinary meetings for assigned panel of patients. Responsible for data college and timely reporting for the HBPC program as requested. Participates in quality assurance and performance improvement activities. Participates in HBPC department meetings and serves in a leadership role when required. Demonstrates advanced use of electronic documentation and computer skills to complete administrative duties. Develops the OT HBPC/home care programs through: needs assessment, literature reviews, review of like programs, ongoing program evaluation and collaboration with HBPC members. Orients patients, physicians, allied health professionals, volunteers, and community representatives to the purpose and function of occupational therapy in home environment. Serves as a mentor to other therapists in the evaluation and treatment of complex patients in the home. Serves as subject matter expert in HBPC occupational therapy and as a consultant to other HBPC staff in evaluating and treatment veterans in their homes. Work Schedule:\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Occupational Therapist/F00516\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact valerie.shields2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorize\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]