Occupational Therapist
The incumbent functions as an Occupational Therapist for the HUD-VASH Program's Housing First modelled multidisciplinary team under the Social Work Service Line of the VA Boston Healthcare System. This position requires a fully licensed and registered Occupational Therapist that works independently requiring minimal guidance from cosupervision by the HUD-VASH Program Manager and Occupational Therapy Supervisor. The primary functions of this position are to perform OT examinations and evaluations, interpret findings from examinations, establish a diagnosis and prognosis within the scope of OT, conducts telehealth and home visits and implements appropriate OT intervention plans for all patients referred. The ability to make autonomous clinical decisions in a direct access environment is required. The Occupational Therapist actively engages Veterans who have experienced homelessness in activities to develop and build the skills needed for independent living after experiencing homelessness. The therapist independently assesses and develops rehabilitation objectives for patients, solves complex problems related to activities of daily living and safety in the home and engages the patient in activities to restore and enhance their performance and potential for independent living or maximum functioning both before and after they move into permanent housing through the HUD-VASH Program. Duties vary, covering a wide range of mental health, substance abuse and medical diagnoses, many with multiple, complex interacting problems which need to be considered in the total treatment program. Patients may present with complex biopsychosocial histories with multiple comorbidities and have impairments, activity/functional limitations, participation restrictions and disabilities related to those conditions. When providing patient care, the incumbent performs the full range of functions stated below for all HUD-VASH Veterans. Assigned responsibilities fall primarily in the following areas:
evaluation, intervention, patient and HUD-VASH team training and education around OT practices. Incumbent exercises the highest degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and carrying out treatment plans to meet complex treatment objectives for Veterans who are currently or have experienced homelessness and participate in the HUD-VASH Program. Incumbent exercises originality in solving problems and making innovative adaptations and modifications of treatment plans and procedures in order to meet the complex and highly varying needs of patients. When providing veterans with treatment the incumbent performs the full range of functions stated below for adult and older adult patients. Incumbent must adhere to the facilities' rules, policies and procedures and to the American Occupational Therapy Association standards of practice and standards of ethics to insure quality patient care. Functional Statement:
F1043 Work Schedule:
7:
30 AM to 4:
00 PM, Monday to Friday Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required NOTIFICATIONS:
This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. AFGE Bargaining Unit Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized. This position is in the Excepted Service. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) will be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. 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:
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 of occupational therapy programs meet the requirements subparagraph 2b(1) if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license/certification/registration/trademark referred to in subparagraph 2d and certification/registration referred to in subparagraph 2c. 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 Language Proficiency:
OTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook Part II, chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3j. 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-12 Occupational Therapist In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience and a broader scope of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11) directly related to the position being filled. (Knowledge of occupational therapy practice / Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment / Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others / Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated / Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing / Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care / Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice) AND Demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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. Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. 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. Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment). Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. References:
VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G14, Occupational Therapist VA Qualification Standards. Physical Requirements:
The work requires possible stooping, bending, walking, handling of wheelchairs and lifting in conjunction with treatment of patients. At times, there may be undue heavy lifting due to unforeseen circumstances such as preventing a patient from falling. Dexterity and skill in safe machinery techniques are required.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
evaluation, intervention, patient and HUD-VASH team training and education around OT practices. Incumbent exercises the highest degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and carrying out treatment plans to meet complex treatment objectives for Veterans who are currently or have experienced homelessness and participate in the HUD-VASH Program. Incumbent exercises originality in solving problems and making innovative adaptations and modifications of treatment plans and procedures in order to meet the complex and highly varying needs of patients. When providing veterans with treatment the incumbent performs the full range of functions stated below for adult and older adult patients. Incumbent must adhere to the facilities' rules, policies and procedures and to the American Occupational Therapy Association standards of practice and standards of ethics to insure quality patient care. Functional Statement:
F1043 Work Schedule:
7:
30 AM to 4:
00 PM, Monday to Friday Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required NOTIFICATIONS:
This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. AFGE Bargaining Unit Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized. This position is in the Excepted Service. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) will be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. 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:
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 of occupational therapy programs meet the requirements subparagraph 2b(1) if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license/certification/registration/trademark referred to in subparagraph 2d and certification/registration referred to in subparagraph 2c. 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 Language Proficiency:
OTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook Part II, chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3j. 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-12 Occupational Therapist In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience and a broader scope of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11) directly related to the position being filled. (Knowledge of occupational therapy practice / Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment / Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others / Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated / Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing / Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care / Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice) AND Demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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. Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. 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. Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment). Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. References:
VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G14, Occupational Therapist VA Qualification Standards. Physical Requirements:
The work requires possible stooping, bending, walking, handling of wheelchairs and lifting in conjunction with treatment of patients. At times, there may be undue heavy lifting due to unforeseen circumstances such as preventing a patient from falling. Dexterity and skill in safe machinery techniques are required.
- Department:
0631 Occupational Therapist - Salary Range:
$85,428 to $111,062 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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