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Georgia Orthopaedic Society.

Occupational Therapist

Georgia Orthopaedic Society., Houston, Texas, United States, 77246

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Summary This position is located in the RECL at the MEDVAMC - and is administratively and clinically responsible to the Supervisory Occupational Therapist - the Supervisory Rehabilitation Therapist - the Rehabilitation Director - and the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line Executive. Works in collaboration with the RECL - Mental Health Care Line - Medical Care Lines - and additional Care Lines to ensure the timely provision of effective and efficient Occupational Therapy services for patients referred.

Qualifications 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:

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))

Education and/or Experience: 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

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

Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program [who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements -] but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure - may be [appointed - pending certification and/or licensure -] as a graduate OT [on a full-time temporary appointment] not-to- exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)

Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained

For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level - the OT must be certified and licensed

A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed] OT who meets all state regulatory requirements

Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years - or converted to a new temporary appointment

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: Occupational Therapist - GS-9 Education - Experience - or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements

Occupational Therapist - GS-11 Education - Experience - or Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled;] or Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field

or Doctorate in occupational therapy Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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

Occupational Therapist - GS-12 Education - Experience - and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the [GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled

Demonstrated KSAs

In addition to the [experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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

Preferred Experience: Current or previous experience with inpatient rehabilitation with knowledge of orthopedics - neurological disorders and major multiple trauma

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-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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position

May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions

the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated

However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

Following referral/consult from a physician or other approved provider - reviews the medical record and independently evaluates each patient to determine functional deficits and the best method to accomplish rehabilitation goals

Evaluations include medical history - results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: activities of daily living - IADL's - range of motion - muscle strength - sensory deficits - coordination - pain - cognitive - visual perceptual - etc

Utilizes standard and non-standard methods in the evaluation and interpretation of a wide variety of physical and cognitive functional levels

Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or medical conditions

Utilizes standard outcomes measurement in assessing patients and other in/outpatients as indicated

Patient Treatment: Provides group and individual treatments that are occupation based

promotes the Veterans' strengths and abilities while adapting for limitations

and develops skills that are within the individual's potential

After initial evaluation of patient - formulates progressive treatment plans and goals - and is responsible for implementation - modification - and documentation of the treatments

Independently formulates - selects - and provides plans of care for direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity based on assessments - the patient goals - and team goals to enhance safety - wellness - and performance in ADL - instrumental IADL - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation

Practice independently and is responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools

Provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety - wellness - and performance in ADL - instrumental IADL - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation

Applies recognized Occupational therapy treatment procedures correctly - safely - and modifies these techniques in such a manner as not to interfere with any traction devices - surgical drains - catheters - immobilizing appliances - respiratory aides - or monitoring devices

On an on-going basis - in response to the patient's reaction to treatment - independently adapts and modifies treatment programs - to better meet short-term and long-term goals

Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment - significantly altered physical or mental status of patients - and reports to appropriate medical authority

Documents initial findings - treatment goals - equipment recommendations - treatment provided - patient progress - patient/family education - and discharge summary in patient's medical record in accordance with MEDVAMC - RCL policies and CARF and TJC standards

Develops appropriate home program for patient - as needed - prior to discharge

As indicated - instructs family or care provider in ways to assist patient to carry out the program

Demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application using activity analysis - behavioral intervention - frame of reference - and therapeutic procedures

Follows appropriate guidelines and safety measures in completing home visits - community outings - and associated travel

May be given assignments in any area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and the complexity of the facility and/or treatment area

Refer patients for community resources as needed

Collaborates and communicates orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders

Participates in team conferences - rounds - discharge planning meetings - specialty clinics - and other assigned medical meetings

Consults with physicians - other therapists and medical personnel - the patient - and as indicated the family and/or caregiver - to maximize benefit of the patient's therapy program

Practices appropriate infection control procedures - personal safety - patient safety - and treatment precautions pertinent to patient's condition or disease process - the specific treatment technique or procedure being utilized - and location of patient encounter

Respects and protects patient privacy

Manages time to allow for unforeseen incidents or interruptions in planned program

Flexible in treatment program

easily adapts to share in over-all section treatment program - as needed

Assists in coverage for absent staff members - to ensure continuity of quality patient care

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00AM - 4:30PM

weekend/holiday coverage as needed - subject to change based on needs of the facility

Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 580-00744-F - 580-02136-F - 580-02135-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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