Occupational Therapist - Outpatient/Acute Care
Direct Jobs, Stockton, CA, United States
Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
Qualifications
United States Citizenship:
Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
English Proficiency:
Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Education and/or Experience:
The individual must meet at least one of the following:
Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist;
Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field;*
Master’s degree or higher in occupational therapy.
All such degrees must be from an ACOTE‑approved program (or predecessor organization).
Foreign Graduates:
Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements if they hold a current, fully active, unrestricted license to practice occupational therapy in the United States (or District of Columbia).
Certification:
Current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an OT.
State Licensure:
Current, unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in the United States (or District of Columbia).
Grandfathering Provision:
May qualify based on coverage under the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation, applicable to current VHA employees who meet the criteria.
Grade Determinations:
Occupational Therapist – GS‑12: Requires completion of one year of experience equivalent to GS‑11 level and directly related to the position.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards; ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing; ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning and creativity to solve complex problems; skill in procuring, modifying and adapting orthoses, splints and adaptive equipment; ability to conduct OT‑related in‑service and clinical training.
Physical Requirements:
Sit at a computer to prepare notes and other documents; stand, sit, bend and push with arms and legs to provide therapy and work with equipment.
Duties
Clinically evaluate a wide variety of patients to determine current levels of function and areas of impairment; assessments may include activities of daily living, strength, range of motion, sensation, perception and cognition using standardized and non‑standardized tools.
Develop treatment plans and measurable goals in collaboration with the patient, treatment team and other stakeholders.
Implement occupational therapy plans to meet patient rehabilitation objectives, including functional activities and specific treatment methods aimed at improving activities of daily living, strength, range of motion, sensation, perception or cognitive status.
Prescribe, fabricate and train with splints, adaptive equipment, wheelchairs and power mobility devices; provide education and safety instructions to patients and caregivers.
Evaluate fixed and modifiable deformities, sitting/postural requirements, amputations, skin integrity, pressure areas, living environment and mode of transportation for devices.
Ensure proper fit of manual wheelchairs, making mechanical adjustments or attaching positioning devices and accessories as needed.
Attend seminars, workshops, lectures and in‑services to increase knowledge and skills, particularly in physical rehabilitation.
Develop and implement interdepartmental and intradepartmental in‑services and ongoing training.
Supervise and train occupational therapy interns and students when assigned.
Interpret occupational therapy to patients, residents, allied health professionals, students, volunteers, visiting public and Veterans Affairs officials.
Identify supply and equipment needs, submit requests for ordering and maintain inventory levels.
Maintain a safe and orderly clinic environment; identify safety hazards and faulty equipment, submitting appropriate work orders.
Participate in developing quality‑improvement indicators, monitor QI activity and provide statistical data as needed.
Identify opportunities for program development and assist the Section Chief in developing new programs or expanding current programs.
Work schedule: full‑time, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; telework not available; position is not virtual.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: not authorized. EDRP: authorized, but former EDRP participants are ineligible.
Contact: V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov – EDRP Coordinator for questions and assistance.
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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.
Qualifications
United States Citizenship:
Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
English Proficiency:
Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Education and/or Experience:
The individual must meet at least one of the following:
Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist;
Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field;*
Master’s degree or higher in occupational therapy.
All such degrees must be from an ACOTE‑approved program (or predecessor organization).
Foreign Graduates:
Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements if they hold a current, fully active, unrestricted license to practice occupational therapy in the United States (or District of Columbia).
Certification:
Current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an OT.
State Licensure:
Current, unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in the United States (or District of Columbia).
Grandfathering Provision:
May qualify based on coverage under the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation, applicable to current VHA employees who meet the criteria.
Grade Determinations:
Occupational Therapist – GS‑12: Requires completion of one year of experience equivalent to GS‑11 level and directly related to the position.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards; ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing; ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning and creativity to solve complex problems; skill in procuring, modifying and adapting orthoses, splints and adaptive equipment; ability to conduct OT‑related in‑service and clinical training.
Physical Requirements:
Sit at a computer to prepare notes and other documents; stand, sit, bend and push with arms and legs to provide therapy and work with equipment.
Duties
Clinically evaluate a wide variety of patients to determine current levels of function and areas of impairment; assessments may include activities of daily living, strength, range of motion, sensation, perception and cognition using standardized and non‑standardized tools.
Develop treatment plans and measurable goals in collaboration with the patient, treatment team and other stakeholders.
Implement occupational therapy plans to meet patient rehabilitation objectives, including functional activities and specific treatment methods aimed at improving activities of daily living, strength, range of motion, sensation, perception or cognitive status.
Prescribe, fabricate and train with splints, adaptive equipment, wheelchairs and power mobility devices; provide education and safety instructions to patients and caregivers.
Evaluate fixed and modifiable deformities, sitting/postural requirements, amputations, skin integrity, pressure areas, living environment and mode of transportation for devices.
Ensure proper fit of manual wheelchairs, making mechanical adjustments or attaching positioning devices and accessories as needed.
Attend seminars, workshops, lectures and in‑services to increase knowledge and skills, particularly in physical rehabilitation.
Develop and implement interdepartmental and intradepartmental in‑services and ongoing training.
Supervise and train occupational therapy interns and students when assigned.
Interpret occupational therapy to patients, residents, allied health professionals, students, volunteers, visiting public and Veterans Affairs officials.
Identify supply and equipment needs, submit requests for ordering and maintain inventory levels.
Maintain a safe and orderly clinic environment; identify safety hazards and faulty equipment, submitting appropriate work orders.
Participate in developing quality‑improvement indicators, monitor QI activity and provide statistical data as needed.
Identify opportunities for program development and assist the Section Chief in developing new programs or expanding current programs.
Work schedule: full‑time, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; telework not available; position is not virtual.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: not authorized. EDRP: authorized, but former EDRP participants are ineligible.
Contact: V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov – EDRP Coordinator for questions and assistance.
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