Summary

The Primary Purpose of the Position: Occupational therapist 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. The Organizational Location of the Position: Program III - in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service - VA North Texas Health Care System - Dallas Clinic. This is an open-continuous announcement - initial cut-off date of 05/15/2026.

Qualifications

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. 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.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• 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
• 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
• 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
• More information: Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist - GS-09 Education - Experience - or Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• 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
• 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
• Demonstrated 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
• (d) Skill in procuring - fabricating - adjusting - adapting - and modifying orthoses - splints - and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training
• Preferred Experience: Experience in providing clinical guidance to OT practitioners in the Inpatient and Outpatient areas
• Demonstrates knowledge - experience and skills in the prescription - fitting - and training in the use of specialty equipment
• This includes needs for orthotics - static and dynamic (custom and/or prefabricated) - assistive technology - wheelchair mobility - lifts and lift systems - devices for activities of daily living - modalities (electrical stimulation - ultrasound - etc.) - and other devices
• Demonstrates clinical skills for both Inpatient and Outpatient population
• Experience in Splinting - Intensive Care Units - and Upper extremity rehab
• Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts when dealing with patients and members of the organization
• 2 to 4 years of 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-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-12
• Continued under additional information..........

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: Clinical Functions - Patient Care: Performs Patient Evaluations: 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
• Evaluations include medical history - results and interpretation of relevant evidence based methods and appropriate functional tests and measurements
• Complex or unusual evaluations may be conducted independently or in consultation with clinical specialist
• Demonstrates the skilled ability to evaluate client factors (specific capabilities - characteristics or beliefs) - performance skills (motor skills - processing skills and social interaction) - performance patterns (habits - routines and roles) - environment (physical & social) - and context (cultural - personal - temporal and virtual) - the therapist in this position demonstrates the ability to analyze Veterans occupational performance in order to target identified outcomes
• Assess the patient's medical conditions - functional capabilities - limitations - restrictions and rehabilitation potential
• Treatment Implementation: Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective - measurable goals and timeliness for completion
• 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
• Independently develops and implements comprehensive and advanced therapeutic programs and techniques
• Recognizes and responds to adverse reactions and emergency situations of the patient during the session and modifies the plan of care
• Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly
• Provides the equipment - materials - instruction - encouragement - or counseling necessary to promote functional mobility and activities performance
• Administration Functions: Understand and adheres to department - program - and facility procedures
• Schedules Veterans for treatment - considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team
• Provides relief coverage - as needed - in any PM&R program in the event of shortage of staff to maintain the continuum of patient care
• Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in assigned clinical setting
• Education and Research: Identifies learning activities for self and others
• Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to outpatient/inpatient management and Occupational therapy via in-services and/or may mentorship projects
• Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs
• Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday
• Rotates to cover weekends and holiday
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Relocation Assistance: Not Authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53249-F - 53250-F - 53572-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.