Career Center

This Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) is assigned to Community Housing and Outreach Services (CHOS) at VA Puget Sound Health Care System located in the Puget Sound Region, in Washington State with responsibility to provide direct services for Veterans, their families and caregivers. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)). 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.] (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. (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 20824-1220. 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: Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist), GS-13 Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the (GS-12 grade) level and directly related to the position being filled, and one of the following: (a) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; OR (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; OR (c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; OR (d) An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. (b) Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. (c) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice (e) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. (f) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. References: VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix, G14, December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over), straight pulling, pushing, use of fingers, walking, standing, repeated bending, operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle, ability to distinguish basic colors, and hearing (aid permitted). Environmental factors include working with hands in water, and working closely with others. ["Duties include, but are not limited to: Clinical: Functions as part of multidisciplinary team to help Veterans experiencing homelessness to attain and maintain stable housing. This may include working with Veterans with major mental health diagnoses, cognitive impairments, active substance use, and/or physical disabilities limiting independence in self-care and living skills. Provides direct patient care in community and clinic settings as assigned. Incumbent provides intake assessments to help determine functional strengths and limitations for population served to assist the multidisciplinary team. The goal of services is to maximize the Veterans' function and independence. Referrals come from various other team members of the multidisciplinary team. Independently provides functional assessments and plans, integrates, and coordinates the occupational therapy services for Veterans enrolled in CHOS programs at VAPSHCS, primarily working with Veterans experiencing homelessness who are transitioning from homelessness to stable housing. Responsible for the operation of an occupational therapy clinic within CHOS and provides OT therapy for Veterans engaging in CHOS services. Provides wellness/prevention education and facilitate patient/family support groups as appropriate. Efforts are directed toward using a therapeutic relationship to assist the Veteran/significant other in gaining more control over their lives and resolving issues which have led to homelessness (i.e. substance use and/or mental illness). Provides ongoing therapeutic intervention with the Veteran and significant other to assist them in dealing and coping with the psychosocial issues of mental health, aging, illness and disability, dealing with loss and grief and terminal illness and dying. Active participant in the treatment planning process with other disciplines. Participates in regular teamlet reviews with HUD-VASH providers as assigned/clinically indicated. Coordinates treatment and communicates with other services and community partners to facilitate continuity of care for Veterans. Participates in discharge planning with other disciplines and will be responsible for ensuring that discharge plans are executed in a manner that this timely and appropriate. Provides support and guidance for CHOS social workers and case managers; consults with OTs in other clinical specialties across the medical center; and promotes use of CHOS OT services. The CHOS OT Clinical Specialist educates staff and students regarding the occupational therapy needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness or were formerly homeless and serves as a subject matter expert within VAPSHCS and the community at large. Administrative: Working knowledge and skill in the use of word-processing, data management and other computer systems, especially those programs in use by VHA. Documents occupational therapy interventions and activities in Veteran's electronic health record, in accordance with prescribed timelines and ensure appropriate hand off when transferring of Veteran care through care coordination. Collects and reports program specific data and completes associated forms, including HOMES as necessary. Maintains data and statistical compilations to comply with Joint Commission, CARF, and VA and local medical center/CHOS policy and procedures. Attends and participates in regular Service Line, Team meetings, applicable National Homeless Programs Office (HPO) calls and trainings. Completes all mandatory trainings by stipulated due dates and maintains access to databases, programs, and/or IT equipment through participation in ongoing updates and/or trainings. Participates in committee assignments, as deemed necessary by the supervisor and/or service manager. Education: Acts as clinical supervisor for professional or technical level students or participates in equivalent educational activities as assigned. Provides clinical training for OT practicum students in assigned program. Assists in developing and upgrading student training program content. Educates other health professionals and their trainees on the role of OT services. Provides in-services and clinical training programs to staff to promote and enhance professional development. Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday\nTelework: May be available on a temporary basis.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]