Occupational Therapist (Caregiver Support Program)

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to join our Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (Caregiver Support Program). The role emphasizes leadership and innovative approaches to managing complex patient care within a VA environment.

Qualified candidates will have NBCOT certification, a state license, and education meeting VA standards. This is a GS-12 level opportunity with a strong emphasis on collaboration and advanced OT practice.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of OT principles and techniques aligned with current clinical standards.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to use critical analysis and clinical reasoning to adapt assessments and plans.
• Skill in fabricating, adjusting and modifying orthoses and adaptive equipment.
• Ability to conduct OT-related in-service and clinical training.

Responsibilities

• Serve within PM&RS Caregiver Support Program and lead complex patient care management.
• Demonstrate leadership and innovative approaches to occupational therapy care.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure comprehensive treatment plans.
• Develop and modify treatment plans and activities for diverse patients.
• Conduct OT in-service and clinical training sessions.

Skills

OT knowledge

Collaboration & communication

Clinical reasoning

Orthoses & adaptive equipment

OT in-service training

Education

Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy + 2 years experience

Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy + 2 years grad education in related field

Master's degree or higher in occupational therapy

Job description

The Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking (1) highly skilled/experienced Occupational Therapist to serve within our Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) (Caregiver Support Program). Demonstrates leadership, experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. 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):

• 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:

2 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11).

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.

Physical Requirements:

Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; use of fingers, both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability.