Occupational Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs - Hampton VA Medical Center in Hampton, VA, is seeking an Occupational Therapist to provide care across acute inpatient, subacute, spinal cord unit, geriatrics, and outpatient programs within PM&R.

The role emphasizes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, development of OT plans, and proficiency in fabricating orthoses and adaptive equipment, with opportunities for clinical training and teaching.

Qualifications

• Must possess NBCOT certification as an OT.
• Must hold full, current, unrestricted state OT license.
• Education path options include Bachelor’s with experience or Master’s/higher in OT.

Responsibilities

• Provide OT services in acute inpatient, subacute, spinal cord, geriatrics, and outpatient settings.
• Develop and implement OT treatment plans.
• Collaborate with physicians, therapy teams, and caregivers.
• Fabricate, adjust, and fit orthoses and adaptive equipment.
• Conduct OT in-service and clinical training.

Skills

OT knowledge

Clinical reasoning

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Orthotics fabrication

OT training

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy

Master’s degree or higher in Occupational Therapy

NBCOT certification

State licensure

Job description

This position will act as an Occupational Therapist in the area of: clinical inpatient acute and subacute care, spinal cord unit, geriatrics, and outpatient programs. This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMRS) Service at the Hampton VA Medical Center. The clinical duties and responsibilities and administrative duties are carried out within the Hampton VA Medical Center and associated CBOCs and future clinics in the Southside area.

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.
• English Language 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: 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. NOTE: Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations.
• Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.
• License: 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

GS-12 Occupational Therapist: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.

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

Outpatient Facility Experience

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 12.

Physical Requirements

There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 45 pounds and over supporting patients.