PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO ENSURE YOU SUBMIT ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. This Job Opportunity Announcement will be used to fill a Occupational Therapist, GS-0631-9/11/12 position in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Cheyenne VA Health Care System. This is an open & continuous announcement. It will remain open until filled. First review will be 4/3/23, then bi-weekly thereafter. 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: 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. Occupational Therapist GS-9: There are no requirements beyond the basic requirements. Occupational Therapist GS-11: 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: In addition, you must be able to demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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: Two years of experience in mental health setting. 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: The Occupational Therapist position requires standing, walking, bending, light to moderate lifting and positioning patients. The incumbent may need to assist in the maneuvering of patients in wheelchairs and transferring of patients in a chair or bed. This position requires lifting/carrying 20 lbs (1 hour per day); sitting (2 hours per day); standing (1 hour per day); walking (2 hrs per day); bending/stooping (half an hour per day); simple grasping (four hours per day); and fine manipulation including keyboarding (1 hour per day). A fair amount of walking is also required to interact with patients and other services throughout the hospital. Incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. ["The grade 9 is an entry level position and the grade 11 is a developmental position. Duties may vary with increasing responsibilities. The Occupational Therapist (OT) is located in the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) at the Cheyenne Veterans Affairs Health Care System (CVAHCS), and functions under the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&RS) Service Line. Duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the Cheyenne VA Medical Center and in various community locations throughout the CVAHCS catchment area. Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Uses a wide range of knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies in the practice of occupational therapy to a wide range of populations. Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy practice and ability to perform associated functions. Demonstrates working knowledge of and adherence to accepted techniques and procedures for occupational therapy as recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Performs evaluations at varying complexity levels, incorporating applicable standardized assessments and interpreting results to guide plan of care. Demonstrates general knowledge of patient conditions (psychological and physical) and medications that could affect his/her ability to perform tasks associated with treatment. Develops comprehensive, individualized plans of care for patients with a wide range of physical and psychosocial needs. Provides consultation to other health care professionals. Participates on interdisciplinary teams as indicated, contributing to care plan regularly, ensuring individual patient needs are met. Assesses the need for additional services and uses professional judgment to initiate consultation with other professionals to provide such services. Provides consistent quality and quantity of work, exhibiting excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Assesses patient safety and maintains constant awareness of treatment environment to reduce risk for possible injury to patients. Observes all safety and fire precautions as well as measures specific to patient condition. Demonstrates dependability and flexibility in work habits, including effective time management and appropriate prioritization of tasks based on needs of the clinic and the patient. Assists in the training and supervision of students, trainees, externs, and fellows, providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals. Attends and completes mandatory training required by the facility and meets annual educational requirements. Provides educational in-services to other services/individuals/groups as requested, or as indicated to assure proper follow through of the patient's plan of care. Serves as a mentor to new occupational therapy staff. Adheres to established standards, policies, and procedures set forth by section, service, and medical center. Manages resources (time, materials, staff) in a cost-effective manner. Assists program and service line in achieving compliance with regulatory agency standards, including state, federal, and Joint Commission standards. Abides by VA and HIPAA patient confidentiality regulations in documentation, consultation, and release of information. Actively participates in medical center committees and task forces as indicated. Initiates service recovery when patients or caregivers report complaints or concerns. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56325-O, 56326-O, 56327-O Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?Readying Warriors and Caring for Heroes! This position is located within Surgical Services at the CAPT James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, IL. The FHCC is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and Department of Navy (DoN)/Department of Defense (DoD). It is larger than just a single facility, but rather it is a fully-integrated medical care facility with a single combined VA and Navy mission. The combined mission of the FHCC means active duty military and their family members, military retirees, and eligible veterans receive health care at this facility.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. Join the FHCC team of energetic, career-minded professionals! For additional information, click onhttp://www.lovell.fhcc.va.gov/index.asp.