Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Texas; On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Texas seeks a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to provide therapeutic services under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist.

This role supports rehabilitation across physical, cognitive, and psychological domains, promoting independence and functional recovery for Veterans. Applicants must meet VA licensure and certification requirements; educational credentials or pending licensure may be considered for tentative hire, with full

Qualifications

• Associate’s or higher degree in occupational therapy from ACOTE-accredited program.
• NBCOT certification and current state licensure required.
• Non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Transcripts, licensure and certification must be submitted with the application package.

Responsibilities

• Administer delegated assessments and report observations to the OT.
• Plan, coordinate and administer occupational therapy treatment for prevention and rehabilitation.
• Develop and implement new OT programs and modify interventions as needed.
• Instruct patients on use of assistive devices and orthotics for optimal function.

Skills

Delegate assessments

Observation reports

Therapeutic techniques

Modify interventions

Adaptive devices

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Associate degree in occupational therapy (ACOTE-accredited)

OTA program via ACOTE military pathway

Job description

The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) staff position is in the Occupational Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) in the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care Systems (CAVHCS). The licensed COTA provides treatment that promotes the function, prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical, cognitive, and psychological dysfunction under the direction of the 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).
• (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.
• Loss of Credential. Management officials, in collaboration with Human Resource (HR) Office staff must remove employees in this occupation who fail to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, which may result in termination of employment.
• Exceptions for Non-Certified or Non-Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant.

• (1) OTAs who graduated from an ACOCTE 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(c)(2).
• (2) OTAs may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OTA or OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
• (3) Temporary OTA appointments may not be extended beyond two years.

• Failure to Obtain License. n all cases, uncertified and/or unlicensed OTAs must actively pursue meeting certification requirements and/or State prerequisites for licensure starting from the date of their appointment. At the time of appointment, the HR Office staff will provide the uncertified and/or unlicensed OTA the written requirements for licensure and/or certification, the date by which the license and/or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed and/or certified by the deadline. OTAs who fail to obtain a license and/or certification by the prescribed date will be removed from their OTA, GS-0636 position, which may result in termination of employment.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts, licensure, and certification with your application package.

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.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.

Experience

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

• (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.

Assignment.

Employees at this grade level serve as a full performance level OTA. OTAs at this level receive minimum guidance from the OT and seek guidance for more complex patients and specialized treatment procedures. They contribute to the screening, evaluation and re-evaluation process by administering delegated assessments and reporting observations and patient performance to the OT. OTAs plan, coordinate and administer occupational therapy treatment for prevention, remediation and rehabilitation of diverse diagnoses in all practice areas to both individuals and groups as well as develop and implement new programs. They recommend and modify assistive devices and instruct patients on their care and use to ensure optimal performance. OTAs independently provide patient education on areas of occupation, assistive devices and orthotics based on patient's and families' level of cognition, cultural 7 and/or behavioral variables. OTAs collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to make recommendations for the patient's rehabilitation, reintegration and disposition needs. They develop, participate in and ensure compliance with quality improvement activities through participation in medical center/section committees as delegated.

Reference:

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

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.