Occupational Therapist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency seeks an experienced Occupational Therapist for outpatient services in Colorado. The role involves independently evaluating and treating veterans with physical dysfunction across various diagnoses. Candidates must possess a Master's degree in occupational therapy and current NBCOT certification. The position requires strong problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate effectively with patients and caregivers. The agency provides a collaborative work environment focused on veterans' rehabilitation needs.

Qualifications

• Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.
• State License: Must have a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice.
• Experience in home safety, ADLs, and cognitive rehabilitation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Independently evaluates patients referred for Occupational Therapy.
• Assesses independent living skills and safety in both home and community.
• Develops and implements occupational therapy plans to improve patients' daily living.

Skills

Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings

Knowledge of occupational therapy practice

Skill in monitoring individual's response to interventions

Ability to communicate with patients and interdisciplinary professionals

Ability to use critical analysis and clinical reasoning

Education

Master's degree in occupational therapy

Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy

Job description

Summary

This Occupational Therapist is an outpatient provider for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service. Responsibilities include general outpatient assessment & treatment for veterans with physical dysfunction – neurological, mental health, cognitive and orthopedic or musculoskeletal diagnoses. This position carries responsibility & requires a high level of independence & problem‑solving ability – and integral knowledge for appropriate referrals & service within the outpatient clinic.

Qualifications

Applicants pending 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.
• Education and/or Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements: 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 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.
• Grade Determinations: GS‑9: Education – Experience – or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.
• 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: Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.
• Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans – including goals and methods of treatment.
• Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
• Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.
• Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients – family members – caregivers – interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
• Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation – reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.
• 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 Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities (KSAs) – In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders.
• 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.
• Skill in procuring – fabricating – adjusting – adapting – and modifying orthoses – splints – and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).
• Ability to conduct OT related in‑service and clinical training.
• Preferred Experience: We are looking for an Occupational Therapist to provide outpatient services up to 5 days per week.
• Services will cover a broad range of diagnoses – focusing primarily on home safety – functional independence – caregiver training – and durable medical equipment – however may also provide additional services that align with the selected candidate's skillset.
• Experience in home safety – ADLs and prescription of durable medical equipment – cognitive rehabilitation – and/or hand therapy.
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
• 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 is a vocation that requires regular and recurring physical exertion with long periods of standing – bending – walking and periods of assisting patients with transfers.
• This hospital has a policy of NO PATIENT LIFT – meaning that mechanical lifts are available to assist with safe patient transfers without lifting patients directly.
• Occupational Therapy requires good manual dexterity to manipulate tools and equipment with activities such as:
• 1. Operating all aspects of a computer – 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.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include – but are not limited to: Clinical: After receiving an appropriate referral – independently evaluates patients referred for Occupational Therapy – using 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 to include use of community resources – home management – time management – and safety in the home and community.
• Self-awareness – interpersonal and social skills.
• Stress management.
• Role development – self‑sufficiency and wellness.
• Evaluations consider lifestyle – culture – educational level – social support system – military – work – and leisure history – and limitations and abilities related to age.
• Uses 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.
• Based on evaluations and planning with patient and significant others (when appropriate) – and coordination with the multidisciplinary team – establishes treatment goals – plan of care – and eventual discharge plan.
• Uses 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.
• Develops and carries out occupational therapy plans with individuals to meet individual rehabilitation objectives.
• Implements an occupational therapy treatment plan to meet individual rehabilitation objectives utilizing functional activities which have as their goal the improvement of patient’s activities of daily living – strength – range of motion – sensation – perceptive and/or cognitive process – and may also include therapeutic exercise – muscle reeducation – neuromuscular facilitation – perceptual motor integration – fabrication and application of devices for daily living – teaching adaptive or compensatory techniques for community re-entry and work activities and providing patient and/or caregiver education regarding disability.
• Patients treated have complex physical – emotional – and social problems.
• Re‑evaluates patient’s performance and modifies treatment as indicated.
• Regularly presents patient information to health care providers regarding outcomes of treatment – status and expectations.
• Communication is timely and follows department policies.
• Evaluates patient’s living situation through outpatient visits or home visits – patient and family interview – or consultation with other health care professionals.
• Assists patient in solving problems associated with that environment.
• Initiates ordering – delivery and training in the use of patient specific adaptive equipment in a timely – efficient and accurate manner – utilizing the processes related to the procurement of prosthetic equipment.
• Has skills in procuring – fabricating – adjusting – adapting – and modifying orthoses – splints – and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living.
• Carries a full patient caseload – accepting new consults as referred by the primary care provider/medical or health care provider.
• Assignments may include outpatient referrals and may include referrals from inpatient acute care medical and surgical cases – and inpatient rehabilitation.
• 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 and documents following facility procedures.
• Administrative For each patient assigned – accurately maintains patient schedule and attendance.
• Independently manages daily workload and schedule.
• Schedules patients promptly to comply with clinical access guidance.
• Accurately documents for the medical record: an initial evaluation including outcome measures – assessment – and short‑ and long-term goals.
• Progress reports which include description of treatment provided and outcome in terms of function.
• Discharge summary – as necessary – which includes summary of treatment – outcome in terms of goals set – equipment provided – and education given to patient and family.
• Maintains current NBCOT certifications and state licensing requirements.
• And completes all mandatory training as required by the facility.
• Work Schedule: Intermittent Telework – Not Available. Virtual – This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement # 55984-A – 55985-A – 55986-A.