Occupational Therapist
The therapist is responsible for patient scheduling, assessment, goal setting, patient education, treatment implementation and discharge planning for patients referred to the occupational therapy department. The caseload is comprised of both inpatients and outpatients with a marked diversity of physical dysfunction. Many of the patients present with complex, multiple medical problems. The therapist completes assessment and treatment on patients in the main OT clinic and on the inpatient wards. The therapist performs and interprets the results of tests and measurements of the patient's status in order to formulate an appropriate, comprehensive treatment plan. The incumbent demonstrates the ability to treat patients with more complex medical problems utilizing both standard and non-standard techniques. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule:
Monday to Friday; 8:
00am - 4:
30pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Basic Requirements:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education. (1) Graduation from a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations to include an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). The ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 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. (2) 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/Examination. Possession of written documentation that the individual has passed the entry-level certification examination for OTs which is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). State Licensure/Certification/Registration/Trademark (hereafter referred to as state regulatory requirement). The OT must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license, certification, or registration or trademark to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. Grade Determinations:
GS-12 Occupational Therapist (a) Education and Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Generally, assignments at this grade level require the knowledge, skills, and competencies normally acquired through post-graduate residency or fellowship training programs. In addition to fully meeting KSAOs identified at the GS-11 full performance level, the candidate must also demonstrate the KSAOs required for the specific assignment. (b) Assignments. Typical assignments for OTs at the GS-12 grade level are described below. Other assignments of equal complexity and responsibility may be approved on an individual basis where warranted. 1. GS-12 Sole Occupational Therapist. OTs at this grade level have the sole responsibility for the operation of an occupational therapy clinic. An OT in a sole position must demonstrate the ability to apply advanced occupational therapy knowledge, theories, and techniques to a full range of patient populations. They apply advanced clinical skills in the following components:
1) sensory motor, to include sensory integration, neuromuscular and motor; 2) cognitive integration and cognitive components; and 3) psychosocial skills and psychological components. Occupational performance areas of activities of daily living (ADL), work activities and play/leisure activities are assessed through administration of standardized and non-standardized tests. Administration of occupational agent modalities (OAMs) is often used in conjunction with advanced treatment techniques to achieve functional goals. Sole OTs also serve as the rehabilitation therapy liaison to an interdisciplinary team in complex rehabilitation settings. There may be more than one OT at the facility; however, individuals in this assignment serve as the sole OT member of a multidisciplinary or specialty care treatment team. OTs assigned to this position must demonstrate all of the following KSAOs:
a. Advanced knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff OTs within the department. b. To balance responsibilities and to work with great autonomy. c. Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disability and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in depth specific assessment of disability. d. Ability to independently develop, implement and modify an occupational therapy treatment plan in response to changing medical or psychological conditions. e. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in the occupational therapy assessment and treatment of occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits and the ability to perform the clinical services independently. f. Ability to organize work, set priorities and delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems and develop and implement effective solutions. g. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice and areas of expertise. References:
VA Handbook 5005/25 Part II Appendix G14. Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements:
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Monday to Friday; 8:
00am - 4:
30pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Basic Requirements:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education. (1) Graduation from a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations to include an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). The ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 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. (2) 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/Examination. Possession of written documentation that the individual has passed the entry-level certification examination for OTs which is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). State Licensure/Certification/Registration/Trademark (hereafter referred to as state regulatory requirement). The OT must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license, certification, or registration or trademark to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. Grade Determinations:
GS-12 Occupational Therapist (a) Education and Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Generally, assignments at this grade level require the knowledge, skills, and competencies normally acquired through post-graduate residency or fellowship training programs. In addition to fully meeting KSAOs identified at the GS-11 full performance level, the candidate must also demonstrate the KSAOs required for the specific assignment. (b) Assignments. Typical assignments for OTs at the GS-12 grade level are described below. Other assignments of equal complexity and responsibility may be approved on an individual basis where warranted. 1. GS-12 Sole Occupational Therapist. OTs at this grade level have the sole responsibility for the operation of an occupational therapy clinic. An OT in a sole position must demonstrate the ability to apply advanced occupational therapy knowledge, theories, and techniques to a full range of patient populations. They apply advanced clinical skills in the following components:
1) sensory motor, to include sensory integration, neuromuscular and motor; 2) cognitive integration and cognitive components; and 3) psychosocial skills and psychological components. Occupational performance areas of activities of daily living (ADL), work activities and play/leisure activities are assessed through administration of standardized and non-standardized tests. Administration of occupational agent modalities (OAMs) is often used in conjunction with advanced treatment techniques to achieve functional goals. Sole OTs also serve as the rehabilitation therapy liaison to an interdisciplinary team in complex rehabilitation settings. There may be more than one OT at the facility; however, individuals in this assignment serve as the sole OT member of a multidisciplinary or specialty care treatment team. OTs assigned to this position must demonstrate all of the following KSAOs:
a. Advanced knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to Staff OTs within the department. b. To balance responsibilities and to work with great autonomy. c. Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disability and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in depth specific assessment of disability. d. Ability to independently develop, implement and modify an occupational therapy treatment plan in response to changing medical or psychological conditions. e. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in the occupational therapy assessment and treatment of occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits and the ability to perform the clinical services independently. f. Ability to organize work, set priorities and delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems and develop and implement effective solutions. g. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice and areas of expertise. References:
VA Handbook 5005/25 Part II Appendix G14. Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements:
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
- Department:
0631 Occupational Therapist - Salary Range:
$79,533 to $103,397 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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