Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

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: To meet this requirement, you must have obtained one of the requirements below: 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. 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). GS-13 Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements you must have one (1) year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Examples of these duties include; using critical analysis, clinical reasoning and creativity to independently solve complex problems which may require adapting and modifying assessments, treatment plans, activities and procedures to meet the needs of patients. Evaluates patients needs as to appropriate for diagnosis to determine current levels of functioning. Develops and implements the occupational therapy programs for patients with a variety of hand injuries, upper limb trauma, inflammation, repetitive motion disorders, and reconstructive procedures. Interprets findings and educates patients and families about diseases process, purpose of treatment, and patient’s rights and responsibilities to improve compliance with treatment. A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advance practice area. This time must be within the past five years. Certification in an area recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Knowledge Skills and Abilities: In addition meeting the experience above, you must demonstrate that you meet all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. 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-13. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
This position is an outpatient provider within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PM&RS) Program at the Butler VA Health Care System. The incumbent provides advanced outpatient assessments and treatment for Veterans with varying degrees of highly complex occupational upper extremity physical dysfunction. The incumbent provides these evaluations & clinical rehabilitations services within all settings of the Butler VA Health Care System.