Occupational Therapist

Location

Columbia, SC | United States

Job description

Summary This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until May 6, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 20, 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates starting March 5, 2024 and on the 1st of each month thereafter. 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. Responsibilities Major duties may include, but are not limited to: Performs evaluation appropriate to the patient's functional, physical and/or psycho-social status to establish a baseline level of functioning. Develops and carries out OT treatment plans with individuals and/or groups of patients to meet individual rehabilitation objectives. Treatment is provided in accordance with age and population specific standards. Has primary responsibility for planning, revising and implementing treatment programs based upon initial and interim evaluations. Documents patients progress in accordance with established policies and timelines. Provides appropriate adaptive or assistive equipment and/ or upper extremity support as needed. Adapts activities and environment to improve patients' function, safety and quality of life. Educates patients, caregivers and other staff in purposes and procedures for adaptations. Attends and actively participates in conferences, rounds, etc. as part of an interdisciplinary team. Maintains clinic and equipment in a safe and orderly manner in accordance with safety and infection control policies, Joint Commission/CARF regulations and other relevant regulatory policies. Submits timely, accurate initial evaluations, progress notes, re-evaluations, and discharge summaries on individual patients assigned, and modifies treatment programs, as indicated. Attends staff meetings; represents the occupational therapy section at any appropriate intradisciplinary team meetings; prepares and presents in-service training on occupational therapy, as assigned. Recommends requisition of equipment and supplies and reports needed equipment repairs to the PM&R Coordinator and/or Secretary. Recommends, modifies, and fabricates adaptive equipment as needed by disabled patients in their normal activities of daily living. Supervises assigned occupational therapy students by fulfilling all American Occupational Therapy Association training requirements, provides accurate evaluation of student performance, and schedules elective training experiences for the student. Works with and/or supervises therapy assistants, therapy aids, and volunteers assigned to the occupational therapy section. Schedules his/her patients for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinates schedules with other members of the treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for family conference. - Maintains accurate records, attendance, progress, and final disposition, and submits necessary monthly and quarterly information in a timely and accurate manner, Incumbent attends and participates in all departmental staff meetings and training session. Incumbent plans and presents in-service education programs, when requested, to the OT section, PM&R staff, and other services, as appropriate. Responsible for care, upkeep, and sanitation of equipment used and may perform the regular duties of a higher-level therapist in his/her absence. Performs as a Student Clinical Training Supervisor, which includes planning, scheduling, coordinating, evaluating, and implementing the student affiliation program. Responsible for student orientation, instruction, and counseling and acts as a liaison with affiliated colleges and universities, participation with faculty members in evaluation and revision of the program and curriculum. Reviews the objectives and goals of the student's affiliations and plans learning experiences accordingly; incumbent evaluates each student's performance and participates in school/medical center conferences regarding students or curriculum. Works independently. He/she is responsible for the occupational therapy programs and clinics to which he/she is assigned and confers with supervisor at periodic intervals for the purpose of keeping him/her informed of problem cases, workload, and progress reports. Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday | 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 544-52461F, 544-52400F, 544-02139A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements: The authority to set requirements is provided by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(14). a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)). b. Education [and/or Experience.] [(1) The individual must meet at least one of the following 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. (2) 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. [c. 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. [d. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.] [e. 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and handbook 5019. Must be able to lift, push, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch and reach. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript (displaying a conferred date) must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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