Occupational Therapy Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 41,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Salt Lake City seeks an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) to provide rehabilitative services within the PMRS. The OTA will help improve or prevent loss of physical and psychosocial dysfunction and promote wellness.

Basic requirements include ACOTE-accredited education, NBCOT certification, and an unrestricted state license, plus a valid driver's license. Applicants may be considered pending licensure/certification completion.

Qualifications

• US citizenship is required; non-citizens may be appointed only as per VA policy.
• OTA must be licensed or eligible for licensure and NBCOT certification.
• ACOTE education and NBCOT certification/licensure requirements must be met.
• A valid driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide rehabilitative services to individuals with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments to improve and/or prevent loss of function.
• Promote wellness and functional independence through occupational therapy interventions.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement treatment plans.

Education

Associate's degree in Occupational Therapy (ACOTE accredited)

ACOTE-accredited OTA program completion

NBCOT certification (entry-level for OTAs)

State license to practice occupational therapy

Driver's license

Job description

The position is in the Occupational Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS) in the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System. The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) provides rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments that improve and/or prevent the loss of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction and promotes wellness. 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:
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • Exceptions for Non-Certified or Non-Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (1) OTAs who graduated from an ACOTE approved occupational therapy assistant program but do not possess the NBCOT certification and/or licensure requirements, may be appointed, pending licensure and/or NBCOT certification, on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405( (2) OTAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure and/or certification are obtained. (3) OTAs may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OTA or OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.(4) Temporary OTA appointments may not be extended beyond two years.
• Drivers License. OTA's must possess and maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted state drivers license for this position.

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

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-05

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities None.

Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-06

• Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • (a) Knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy practice.
  • (b) Knowledge of basic group techniques and interpersonal communication
  • (c) Skill in written communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education.
  • (d) Skill in oral communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education.
  • (e) Ability to assist in the development of treatment goals/objectives.
  • (f) Ability to implement a patient care plan incorporating activity analysis theory.

Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-07

• Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. [In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • (a) Skill in promoting occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas
  • (b) Ability to perform in depth chart review to identify treatment goals and implement treatment plans.
  • (c) Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients.
  • (d) Ability to provide multi-step instructions to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual.

Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-08

• Experience. One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level.
• 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.