Supervisory Occupational Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center seeks a Supervisory Occupational Therapist (Service Chief) to lead the PM&R Service, overseeing programs and service functions.

The role requires meeting VA education/certification requirements, NBCOT, and state licensure, with responsibilities including clinical and administrative oversight across a multidisciplinary team.

Applicants must be US citizens and meet grandfathering provisions; the position may require hybrid work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Education/Experience requirements per VA standards for OT.
• NBCOT certification as an OT is required.
• State license to practice OT in the United States or DC.
• Graduates from ACOTE-approved programs or equivalents with internship.

Responsibilities

• Oversee PM&R Service operations and develop programs.
• Provide clinical and administrative supervision to a multidisciplinary team.
• Plan and coordinate service delivery across sites and facilities.
• Ensure compliance with VA qualifications and federal guidelines.

Skills

Evidence-based practices

Interpersonal skill

Resource management

Communication

Policy development

Oversight & supervision

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Occupational Therapy

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy with 2 years experience

Job description

The Supervisory Occupational Therapist (Service Chief) will serve as the Chief, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Service at the Cincinnati VA Medical Service which includes oversight, planning and development of all Service functions and programs.

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 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.
  • Individuals must be a graduate of] a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Degree programs may be verified by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220.
  • Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph 3b(2) if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph 3e of this appendix
• Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.
• State Licensure: 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-14:

• Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level and directly related to the position being filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).
  • Knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing clinically appropriate treatment interventions
  • Skill in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with a diverse range of employees, team leaders, and administrators
  • Ability to manage resources for a large, integrated service including not only occupational therapy, but also other focused rehabilitation, ancillary, or other health care services
  • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a diverse group of professional staff
  • Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into cogent and useful policy in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites
  • Skill in providing clinical and administrative oversight and supervision of multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites
  • Ability to collaborate with strategic planning committees at local, VISN or national levels for new ventures addressing patient care delivery systems, facilities management, and system reorganizations

Preferred Experience

• 3-5 years in Federal Healthcare managing a medium to large section and/or service; experience as a site/program director for American College of Graduate Medical Education programs with affiliated universities and health professions trainees through OAA.
• An understanding of complex accreditation requirements for rehabilitation programs within the purview of the Rehabilitation Service Line.

Reference

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is 14.

Physical Requirements

Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.