Summary The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The Occupational Therapist Program Coordinator (OTPC) at this level performs higher-level duties which consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety, and are performed at least 25% of the time. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Program II in the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) and Medical Foster Home (MFH) Programs in Geriatrics and Extended Care and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services in Dallas and Fort Worth. Responsibilities Clinical Functions: Patient Care Performs patient evaluations: Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members. Recognizes the appropriateness of treatment based on indications, precautions and contraindications (e.g. pharmacological) and uses professional judgement to initiate consultation to the appropriate provider. Evaluations reflect the complexity through Occupational profile and client history; Assessments of occupational performance; Clinical decision-making and development of a patient centered plan of care. This may include but is not limited to: establishment of rehabilitation diagnosis and prognosis, function, motor and sensory skills, psychosocial needs, activities of daily living, durable medical equipment, adaptive equipment, safety and prevention. Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them are developed and implemented in the plan of care. Treatment Implementation: Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals and timeliness for completion. These goals are developed in collaboration with the patient, family and/or stakeholder input. Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: Therapeutic media, lifestyle coping skills and modifications, complementary and alternative modalities, cognitive therapy and mobility training to maintain or achieve veteran's physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential. Demonstrates an advanced professional understanding and knowledge of the theories, principles and techniques of current clinical standards, treatments in occupational therapy and their proper application based on OT theory and evidence-based practice (through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures). Administrative functions include: Provide administrative direction and makes decisions related to the HBPC and MFH geriatrics rehab programs. Understands and adheres to department, program, and facility procedures. Receives, triages and assigns patient referrals/consults, patient self-referrals, adheres to consult compliance established guidelines and is knowledgeable of admission criteria for HBPC program for appropriate continuum of care placement. Schedules Veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the HBPC treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled patients and for family conferences. Assists with coverage to other PM&R clinics as needed. Education and Research: Identifies learning activities for self and others. Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to specialty services, HBPC program and Occupational therapy via in-services and/or conducts mentorship projects. Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs. Keeps up advance knowledge, and maintains current concepts and trends in geriatric, pain management, Occupational Therapy and, evidence-based medicine/rehabilitation practices, through literature reviews, study of current research, clinical practice, and through attendance to continuing education courses, conferences and in-services (at least annual training in specialty area). Provides 2 in-service per year to staff members regarding occupational therapy services, techniques and protocols in the specialty area. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. with nights, weekends and holidays as needed for patient care. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. 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. Must be able to obtain and maintain a US Government Driver's License (which requires a valid state driver's license). Qualifications Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy). 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements above if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of this appendix. 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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist), GS13 (1) Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level and directly related to the position being filled and one of the following: (a) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; (c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or (d) An additional advanced degree in a related field. (2) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy within specialty area to provide clinical guidance, training, or education for internal and external stakeholders. (b) Ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, and balance responsibilities. (c) Ability to articulate and communicate the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, and objectives; as well as provide direction on work methods, practices and procedures in administration and/or education methodologies.(d) Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work, evaluate the program to ensure that methods, deadlines and quality have been met, and ensure adjustments to the work process are in accordance with priorities. (e) Ability to develop and coordinate treatment and/or educational programs within a concentrated field or specialty area, such as amputee, spinal cord injury, chronic pain, student clinical education/residency programming, polytrauma/traumatic or brain injury. (f) Ability to effectively motivate and manage a diverse clinical staff with widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view. Preferred Experience: Two or more years of experience in rehabilitation for HBPC home base setting. Experience performing chart review, evaluation and develop treatment plan for acute and/or chronic injuries with impairment such as; amputation, musculoskeletal, neurological, orthopedic, cardio-pulmonary, pain management, cancer, etc. Experience in performing direct supervision Occupational Therapy assistance and/or Occupational Therapy students. Experience providing mentoring to peers and provide education regarding rehabilitation to others healthcare services. Leadership Development experience or project development. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-14 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Should have the ability to perform repetitive physical activities: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling 2 hours; Pulling hand over hand 2 hours; Pushing 2 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking 4 hours; Standing 4 hours; Crawling 1 hour; Both legs required; Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Simple Grasp; Fine Manipulation keyboarding 4 hours; Twisting 4 hours. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript 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: 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Accreditation Information: 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. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) website: School Directory - ACOTE (acoteonline.org), you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Additional Information This announcement is being announced for both Physical Therapist under vacancy 12679537 and Occupational Therapist under vacancy 12679536. 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.