Summary

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: In this position the OT demonstrates skills and knowledge in techniques for applying care targeting Mental Health disorders including but not limited to: In inpatient and outpatient settings. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Program I - Mental Health Program - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service - VA North Texas Health Care System - (VANTHCS) - Dallas Texas.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements
• Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment
• 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: (a) 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 (b) 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 (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy
• Foreign Graduates
• Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements above 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
• English Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Loss of Credential
• An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification - both current and in good standing -] must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
• Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist
• (1) OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements - but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure - may be appointed - pending certification and/or licensure -] as a graduate OT on a full-time temporary appointment] not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).(2) Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained
• For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level - the OT must be certified and licensed.(3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.(4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years - or converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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 Therapist - GS-09: Education - Experience - or Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignments
• Individuals assigned at the GS-9 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems
• The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently
• OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists
• OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed OT
• Occupational Therapist - GS-11: Education - Experience - or Licensure
• (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• OR (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field
• OR (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy
• Demonstrated [Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice
• (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans - including goals and methods of treatment
• (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others
• (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated
• (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients - family members - caregivers - interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing
• (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care
• (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation - reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice
• Assignment
• OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools
• The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety - wellness - performance in activities of daily living (ADL)
• and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation
• Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions
• OTs demonstrate an understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis - behavioral intervention - frame of references - and therapeutic procedures
• They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional - independent occupational therapy services
• Occupational Therapist - GS-12: Education - Experience - and Licensure
• Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• Examples of the GS-11 experience includes: Practice independently and responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools
• Modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• Select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety - wellness - performance in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation
• demonstrate an understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis - behavioral intervention - frame of references - and therapeutic procedures
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) 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
• (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders
• (c) 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.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2025
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 25 - 2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks until September 30 - 2025
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• Applicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days - after 90 days applicants will have to reapply
• The occupational therapist (OT) demonstrates their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions in multiple clinic areas within VHA that includes but not limited to: neurology - orthopedics - geriatrics - hand - closed head injuries - SCI - Polytrauma - mental health and others
• The OT - in this position - will develop and expand skills and knowledge in techniques for applying care targeting Mental Health disorders including but not limited to: (depression - anxiety - bipolar - schizophrenia - substance abuse - etc.) in inpatient and outpatient settings
• In this position - the OT has a basic foundation of OT and seeks guidance from more experienced therapists - however may also generally practice independently
• The incumbent may be assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional - independent occupational therapy services to those patients consulted through a healthcare provider and/or self-referrals
• Occupational therapists' practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools
• He/she provides direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity
• The OT embraces evidenced based practice standards in diagnosis - examination - management - intervention - treatment and outcome measurement
• Major Duties include but are not limited to: Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition
• Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members
• Recognizes the appropriateness of treatment based on indications - precautions and contraindications (e.g
• pharmacological) and uses professional judgement to initiate consultation to the appropriate provider
• Evaluations reflect the complexity through Occupational profile and client history
• Assessments of occupational performance
• Clinical decision-making and development of a patient centered plan of care
• This may include but is not limited to: establishment of rehabilitation diagnosis and prognosis - function - motor and sensory skills - psychosocial needs - activities of daily living - durable medical equipment - adaptive equipment - safety and prevention
• Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them are developed and implemented in the plan of care
• Establishes a care plan and administers a treatment program with specific goals according to the Veteran's capacity and tolerance
• Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective - measurable goals and timeliness for completion
• These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient - family and/or stakeholder input
• Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: Therapeutic media - lifestyle coping skills and modifications - complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) - cognitive therapy and mobility training to maintain or achieve veteran's physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential
• Demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis - behavioral intervention - frame of references - and therapeutic procedures
• Pursues continuous quality improvement in the processes of patient care & inter/intra-service collaborations
• Participates in Process Improvement activities related to Dallas - Mental Health - PM&R and VANTHCS
• Demonstrates 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
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• (Occasional weekend coverage)
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required