Occupational Therapist (Caregiver Support Program)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; North Carolina; On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham VA Healthcare System seeks a highly skilled Occupational Therapist to join our PM&R Service (Caregiver Support Program). The role emphasizes leadership and innovative approaches to complex patient care.

Applicants must have NBCOT certification and an unrestricted OT license in a US state. Education: Bachelor's with two years of experience or related training, or a master's degree in OT; GS-12 level demonstrated by one year of experience at GS-11 or equivalent.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of OT principles and techniques based on OT theory and evidence-based practice.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with stakeholders.
• Ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to adapt assessments and treatment plans.
• Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, and modifying orthoses and adaptive equipment for ADLs.
• Ability to conduct OT-related in-service and clinical training.

Skills

OT theory

Communication skills

Clinical reasoning

Orthoses fabrication

Clinical training

Education

Bachelor's in OT + 2 years experience

Bachelor's in OT + 2 years grad education

Master's or higher in OT

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.