Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Summary This position is located at the Rocky Mountain Regional VAMC, SCI/D Center, in Aurora, CO. This Occupational Therapist primary patient coverage is for patients with SCI/D diagnoses admitted to the inpatient setting for the Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP). Responsibilities This Therapist serves as a health care professional for the SCI/D Center for inpatients and/or outpatients referred to SCI/D Occupational Therapy. Clinical Occupational Therapist uses standard and non-standard methods to assess range of motion, strength, sensation, proprioception, coordination, perception, cognition, ADL and work activities, orthotic and prosthetic needs, and need for adaptive equipment. In addition, assesses independent living skills. Establishes treatment goals and eventual discharge plan, based on evaluations with patient and family/caregiver(s) (when appropriate) and coordination with the multi-/transdisciplinary team. Re-evaluates patients performance and modifies treatment as indicated. Regularly presents patient information to health care providers regarding outcomes of treatment, status, and expectations. Evaluates patients living situation through home visits, patient and family interview, or consultation with other health care professionals. Initiates ordering, delivery and training in the use of patient specific adaptive equipment. Responsible for direct supervision of the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, if assigned to the SCI/DCenter. Carries a full patient caseload, accepting new consults as referred by the primary care provider/medical or healthcare provider. Documents initial evaluations, progress, and discharge planning in a timely, concise manner, per section documentation and consult management requirements. Is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect and reports to the appropriate authority. Is aware of the indications, contraindications, and precautions in working with patients with SCI, physical impairments, and mental health issues. Serves as SCI/D Center OT liaison and assists the SCI/D Therapy Supervisor to address complex Occupational Therapy needs. Develops and facilitates plan for post-acute care for patients on CIIRP service. Provides coverage of Outpatient Occupational Therapy clinic for evaluation and treatment of patients, as needed. Ensures CARF accreditations standards are met and in compliance for Occupational Therapy practices within the SCI/D Centers practice settings. Practices and enforces infection control standards, as prescribed by RMR VAMC. Administrative For each patient assigned, accurately maintains patient schedule and attendance. Independently manages daily workload and schedule. Schedules patients promptly to comply with Advanced Clinical Access performance levels. Completes daily, weekly, and monthly statistics, as required by the SCI/D service. Accurately documents within the patients medical record: an initial evaluation including short- and long-term goals; progress reports which include description of treatment provided and outcome in terms of function; discharge summary which includes summary of treatment, outcome in terms of goals set, equipment provided, and education given to patient and family. Assists in the development of new treatment programs, techniques, or refinements of current programs as directed by the PMRS Supervisory team. Assists SCI/D Service Chief and/or Supervisor in updating and maintaining Occupational Therapy policies and procedures. Participates in multidisciplinary meetings, including patient rounds, family conferences, and discharge planning, as necessary. Designs and/or participates in quality assurance activities, as directed, and has a working knowledge of departmental performance improvement projects. Shares in the maintenance of equipment and is aware of safety. Participates in CARF and Joint Commission activities to ensure compliance and accreditation. Maintains current NBCOT and certifications, State DORA requirements, and mandatory training, as required by the facility. Education Assists in the orientation of physicians, medical residents, and other allied health personnel to the Occupational Therapy program. Educates other Occupational Therapists with various duties to support the SCI/D Centers mission. Works with other SCI/D providers and/or staff in teaching safe patient positioning, application of orthoses and slings, and proper use of self-help devices. Instructs patient and family members in the proper and safe use adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment and prepares timely prosthetics requests. Attends continuing education courses for occupational therapists and shares knowledge with the OT staff. Plans and implements patient education programs and adjusts teaching method to match the patient and/or familys learning style and cognitive level. Serves as a mentor to new occupational therapy staff, if necessary. Work Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday 08:00AM to 04:30PM Telework: Not eligible. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States Certification: Must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. State Licensure. 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. English Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: Bachelors 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, Bachelors 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, Masters 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs must 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. 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). Preferred Experience: Candidate must be able to work independently, have strong problem-solving abilities and have a history of developing treatment strategies for Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder (SCID) patients. Preferred experience 3 or more years of Inpatient experience serving patients with SCID, Multiple Sclerosis & ALS. Grade Determinations: GS-13 Occupational Therapist [(Clinical Specialist)]: (1) 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; (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; (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.] (2) Demonstrated KSAs- In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. 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 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 10-25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Occupational Therapy requires good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with activities such as: 1. Operating all aspects of a computer 0-keyboarding, mouse, and control buttons. 2. Demonstrating the use of all aspects of adaptive equipment of patient teaching. 3. Assembling equipment with the use of hand tools such as a screwdriver or pliers. 4. Fabricating splints or adaptive equipment requiring the use of scissors, cutting tools, and ability to mold plastic, foam or plaster. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online, please reach out to the agency contact listed on this announcement.