Occupational Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 78,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a licensed Occupational Therapist with NBCOT certification to provide comprehensive OT services in Milwaukee. The role requires adherence to ACOTE standards, licensure, and a commitment to veteran care.

The OT will work within an interdisciplinary team, develop and adapt treatment plans, and contribute to patient education and outcomes. A strong focus on spinal cord injury rehab is noted as preferred experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of OT principles and current clinical standards.
• Ability to collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to use clinical reasoning to adapt assessments and treatments.
• Skill in procuring, fabricating, and modifying orthoses and adaptive equipment.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based occupational therapy care to adult and veteran patients.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop and adjust treatment plans.
• Modify assessments and procedures to meet patient needs.
• Fabricate and adjust orthoses and assistive devices for activities of daily living.

Skills

OT knowledge and standards

Interprofessional communication

Clinical reasoning

Orthotics fabrication/modification

Clinical training delivery

Education

Bachelors in OT + 2 years experience

Bachelors in OT + 2 years grad education

Master’s or higher in OT

Job description

OUR MISSION:

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

BASIC REQUIREMENTS.

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)).

Education (and/or Experience.)

1. (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.

Foreign Graduates.

Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs 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.

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.

Loss of Credential

An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing,] must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.

1. (1) 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).
2. (2) Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained. For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed.
3. (3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed] OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
4. (4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment.

GS-12 GRADE REQUIREMENTS:

1. (1) 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.
2. (2) Demonstrated 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:

Spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

Reference:

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.