Occupational Therapy Assistant

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Virginia VA Health Care System, Fredericksburg HCC campus, seeks a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), GS-08, to provide occupational therapy services within the PM&R Service under licensed OT supervision.

Applicants must meet education/certification/licensure requirements and English proficiency; the role may involve outpatient PM&R work. Primary duties include patient care and education for patients and families, with possible

Qualifications

• ACOTE-accredited OTA program or military OTA program recognized by ACOTE.
• NBCOT certification must be documented.
• Full, current and unrestricted OT license in any US state, territory or DC.
• English proficiency in spoken and written English as per 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• United States Citizenship required per VA policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide the full range of professional OT services under licensed OT supervision.
• Educate patients and families about therapy plans and activities.
• Engage in outpatient/orthopedic-related care as preferred experience.
• Possibly provide department in-service training and caregiver/home management education.

Skills

Assessments

Observations reports

Therapy techniques

Therapy modification

Consultation

Clinical reasoning

Education

ACOTE OTA degree

NBCOT certification

State OT license

Job description

The position is located in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service at the Fredericksburg HCC campus of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVVHCS). The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) provides a full range of patient care services and education. The Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-8 is assigned to provide professional, Occupational Therapy services to any/all program areas that are covered by PM&R under the supervision of a licensed Occupational Therapist.

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.
• Education. Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below: (1) Associate's or higher degree in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association(AOTA) ; OR (2) Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE.
• Certification. OTAs must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• Licensure. OTAs must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico) or in the District of Columbia.
• English Language Proficiency. OTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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:

Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-08

Experience

One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade (GS-7) level. This specialized experience include: grade and adapt treatment interventions to maximize patient's functional status. OTAs provide education regarding ways to structure activities and areas of occupation for patients to family members, other care professionals and program staff. They interact with patient and family to explain therapy procedures and discuss treatment plans to comply with indicated regimens and post discharge activities. OTAs may provide clinical supervision (Note, this does not constitute supervisory control) to OTA students and other healthcare practitioners. This will include promoting clinical reasoning and reflective practice, as well as ethical practice and professional competency development. They provide department in-service training and provide caregiver and home management training to patients and families.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• (a) Ability to implement delegated assessments.
• (b) Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance.
• (c) Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status.
• (d) Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities.
• (e) Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.
• (f) Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services.

Preferred Experience:

Outpatient/Orthopedic "shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand" 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 GS-8.

Physical Requirements:

Work includes regular and recurring physical exertion, which involves standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting (45lbs or greater) is often required. Sitting at meetings, desks, or computer terminals for documentation purposes is required. Visual acuity to perform daily documentation and work with clients. Mental and emotional stability to work with varied caseloads.