Summary

Position is organizationally located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center - Milwaukee - Wisconsin - Rehabilitation Services Division. The occupational therapist provides professional - independent occupational therapy services in the assigned area with the general supervision of the Occupational Therapy Supervisor. Experience and/or willingness to complete home safety assessments and provide occupational therapy services in patients homes is preferred. Willing to train the right candidate.

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
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist
• 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)
• 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 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
• 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
• Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist: 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)
• Grade Determinations: 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
• In addition candidates 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
• Preferred Experience: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-12Physical Requirements: This position has been evaluated as a Level 1 in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) definition of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens
• Positions in this category require the performance of tasks that are exposed to blood and potentially infectious body fluids
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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 GS9 to GS12
• Physical Requirements: This position may involve standing - walking - stooping - bending - reaching - lifting and turning
• The work may involve going up and down flights of stairs
• This position requires travel to facilities within VISN 12 and may require extended work hours to facilitate travel
• In addition - there may be increased stress due to the intensity of a customer complaint or concern
• Must able to sit at a desk to work at a computer - engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting - walking - bending and carrying supplies
• The Clinical Assessor must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands - exercise patience and control emotions - with reasonable accommodation if necessary - without endangering the health and safety of the OT or others
• Position requires walking throughout the clinic and/or Medical Center - standing for extended periods of time and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams
• Position may require extensive travel into the community to meet with Veterans - caregivers - community agencies and/or partners who assist and support the Caregiver Support Program
• Applicant must have a valid - active - unrestricted driver's license
• This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures
• transcribing
• viewing a computer terminal
• extensive reading
• and repetitive motions of the wrists - hands and/or fingers.

Duties

• This occupational therapist provides professional - independent occupational therapy services in the assigned area with the general supervision of the Occupational Therapy Supervisor
• The employee meets all regulatory and statutory requirements including graduation from an approved program in Occupational Therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupation Therapy Education (ACOTE) and holds a current license to practice Occupational Therapy
• The functions of the position include - but may not be limited to the following: - Provide direct patient care in out patient setting - home based care - inpatient acute care - rehab - and long term care settings as assigned
• - Independently completes a review/examination of patient data - including medical history to develop a plan of care - assess patient's status - and ascertain patient's need for therapy services
• Implements the plan utilizing therapeutic exercise - functional mobility - and modalities as indicated in the treatment plan
• - Independence with serving patients who present a wide range of ages and a broad - complex array of both medical and psychological problems
• - Ability to independently provide clinical oversight of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants
• - Maintains timely and appropriate documentation of all consults - initial evaluations - progress notes - discharge notes - patient/family education - and other tasks within departmental guidelines
• -Has the ability to use critical analysis - clinical reasoning and creativity to independently solve complex problems related to assessment - treatment and procedures to meet the individual needs of patients
• - Performs evaluations to include medical history - results - and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as range of motion - muscle strength - sensory/perceptual deficits - coordination - functional mobility - pain scales - and psychosocial needs
• Evaluations will be comprehensive in nature and are directed at ascertaining the patient's functional status - rehabilitation needs - goals - and rehabilitation potential
• -Devise adaptations of equipment for specific needs of the patients
• -Participates in various quality assurance programs in the rehab services division
• -Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharge planning in concert with the multidisciplinary treatment team
• - Provide home safety assessments and care plans for follow up care
• Assess for appropriate equipment needs and provide training
• - Work as part of comprehensive home-based primary care team
• - Follows established Program and Division policies and procedures related to fire - disaster - and security measures
• Participates as necessary in fire and emergency preparedness drills - Participates as necessary in fire and emergency preparedness drills
• Assists during emergency situations including initiating and/or assisting with CPR
• Work Schedule: Tues-Fri 7:00am -16:30pm - every other Saturday 7:30am - 16:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Possible upon request Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized