Summary The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) Clinical Assessor- Occupational Therapist (OT) referred to herein as "OT Clinical Assessor'' or "Incumbent" is disciplinarily assigned to Extended Care & Rehab and programmatically assigned to the CSP Program at VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines, Iowa with broad administrative oversight of the Manager of CSP Programs and clinical oversight and supervision from the Occupational Therapy Department. Responsibilities Major duties include but are not limited to: Clinical / Administrative Skills of an Occupational Therapist Evaluation and Treatment: Accept and respond to OT/CSP consults and document evaluation and treatment in compliance with CSP and Occupational Therapy policies. Complete Veteran functional assessments, including the VFAI, for the PCAFC. Possesses skill in independently utilizing appropriate screening and standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools required to appropriately provide and direct the OT care plan in multiple settings. Responsible for the independent comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles and provide direct intervention with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, participation, and performance in all areas of occupation (ADLs, IADLs, work/play, leisure, education, social participation, and rest/sleep) of Veterans referred to the Caregiver Support Program. Demonstrates knowledge of and ability to independently apply clinically appropriate assessment techniques and treatment interventions to address and evaluate all aspects of the occupational therapy domain: occupations, client factors, performance skills, performance patterns, contexts, and environments. Able to utilize standardized and non-standardized assessment methods to communicate information to the Centralized Eligibility & Appeals Team (CEAT) and interprofessional CSP team about Veterans' and caregivers' functioning. Must have driver's license Communication Demonstrates the teaching skills required to provide education to Veterans, family members, caregivers, students, and other healthcare professionals. Demonstrates the ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, with Veterans, family members, supervisors, caregivers, students, and other healthcare professionals. Establishes and maintains contact with other health care providers involved in Veteran care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis. Participates in interdisciplinary care planning conferences, as assigned. Documentation: Performs comprehensive written documentation of evaluations/assessments, progress notes, and discharge summaries. Documentation is consistent with regulatory bodies and accrediting commissions, VHA policy, and facility directives regarding content and timeliness. Proactively communicates with Prosthetics and Sensory Aide Services (PSAS) to address Veterans' needs for adaptive/durable medical equipment, orthoses, and prosthetics devices, in accordance with facility policy. Documents Veteran functional assessments for PCAFC in a timely manner and communicates information from assessments to the interprofessional CEAT for timely processing of the application. Quality Assurance (QA) / Quality Improvement (QI): Conducts data collection as specified or requested by the Supervisor of both Occupational Therapy and CSP for projects related to continuous process improvement for quality assurance (QA) and Quality Improvement (QI) for the CSP program. Education: As assigned, acts as Fieldwork Educator for occupational therapy student(s) from accredited educational programs. As assigned, demonstrates the teaching skills as required to provide education to Veterans, family members, caregivers, employees, students, and coworkers. Educates multiple service lines within the facility about the Occupational Therapy scope of practice. The OT continually seeks to improve knowledge and skills by reviewing current literature, conducting in-service training, participation in presentations, and attendance at continuing education programs, especially in their area of expertise. Continuing education and training will be focused on maintaining and improving competency in all general clinical functions but will also include coursework directed toward the development and improvement of clinical instruction, data collections and reporting techniques, and utilization and reporting of outcome measures. Continuing education will also involve staying up-to-date with training/certification per regulations of NBCOT/AOTA and state regulations, as well as taking initiative and completing other educational opportunities to enhance ability to delivery evidence-based occupational therapy assessments and interventions. Complete initial Veteran Functional Assessment Instrument (VFAI) intensive training with a recertification occurring every two years. Administrative Responsibilities: Completes all VAMC mandatory training in a timely manner, including yearly competencies and TMS requirements and CSP training requirements. Stays updated on CSP Program guidelines and policies. Work Schedule: 0800 - 1630, Monday through Friday Telework: Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education and/or Experience. 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. 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. 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 Grade Determinations: GS-9 Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. (See basic requirements above) GS-11 Education, Experience, or Licensure. (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled OR (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; OR (c) 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. GS-12 Education, Experience, and Licensure: Appointment to the GS-12 grade level requires 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 applicant's resume 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. References: VA Handbook 5005 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-9 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.