Summary The Occupational Therapist Program Coordinator will be aligned within the Polytrauma System of Care and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service within the Eastern Colorado Health Care System. ECHCS is a Polytrauma Network Site within the National Polytrauma System of Care. This position is integral to the interdisciplinary Brain Rehabilitation Program and Occupational Therapy services offered at ECHCS. Responsibilities Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Functions of Program Management 1. Half of the time encompasses duties for the Polytrauma System of Care (PSC) Polytrauma Network Site (PNS) Program Manager as outlined in VHA Directive 1172.01 2. Provides resources and serves as a clinical subject matter expert for the Polytrauma Network Site and supporting facilities throughout VISN19. 3. Serves as the point of contact for information about PSC Program(s) within ECHCS and VISN 19. 4. Provides information and education to Veterans, Service members, caregivers, family members, referral sources, and external payers about PSC services available at ECHCS, VISN19, and the broader PSC. 5. Collaborating with the ECHCS Polytrauma Program Medical Director, PMRS Leadership, and the ECHCS leadership to oversee data management including data input and tracking of ECHCS facility-level polytrauma performance measures. 6. Collaborates with the ECHCS Polytrauma Program Medical Director and PMRS Leadership to ensure VHA Directive 1172.01 is being met by the program. Seeks waivers as necessary if directive is unable to be met. 7. Reviews polytrauma rehabilitation related practices and requirements at least annually with other VA medical facility Polytrauma Program Managers in the VISN. 8. Support PSC Programs within VISN 19 for care coordination, referral management, consultations, and advising on best clinical practice and performance measure reporting. 9. Maintain VISN 19 Polytrauma Community of Practice. Facilitates regular meetings. 10. Provides education, consultation, training and resources to sites of care within VISN19 in the area of Polytrauma care. 11. Attends all CARF Accreditation meetings as assigned. Prepares reports, presents findings, and collaborates with PMRS CARF Leadership. Communicates with CARF Leadership regularly and responds to requests for information in a timely manner. Functions of Clinical Specialty 1. Occupational Therapist receives patient caseload through referrals from medical providers within ECHCS, primarily the Brain Rehabilitation Team, and performs evaluation and treatments within the scope of occupational therapy. Evaluation includes but is not limited to chart review, medical history, functional tests and measures, pain scale, social needs, rehabilitation potential, patient and therapy goals with time frames, and use of standard and non-standard measures to assess the level of patient function. 2. Develops individualized treatment plans with measurable goals, based on evaluative findings and within the scope of Occupational Therapy. Modifies the plan of care according to changing patient needs and terminates treatment program when all goals have been met, or progress has ceased. Independently administers standard treatments in the area of Neurorehabilitation Therapy. 3. Possesses advanced clinical knowledge and skills for highly complex cases in neurorehabilitation, which may include but are not limited to Stroke (CVA), Hemiplegia, Traumatic Brain Injury, Polytrauma, and other diseases of the central nervous system. 4. Provides appropriate evidence-based treatment based on indications, precautions and contraindications. Refers to appropriate providers when indicated for services outside the scope of occupational therapy practice. 5. Evaluates for the need of and procures appropriate orthotic devices including custom-made orthotic devices to manage neurological conditions to meet the individual patient's needs and goals. 6. Remains current in knowledge of new and current DME, advocating for updated equipment as new products become available. 7. Communicates in a respectful and collaborative manner with the interdisciplinary team regarding outcomes of treatment through a variety of communication means. 8. Provides accurate and timely documentation and reimbursement coding for each patient encounter according to established departmental, ECHCS, and VHA policy, and professional standards of patient services including, but not limited to: evaluation, progress, goals, expected functional outcome, equipment provided/ordered, discharge, patient contacts, and patient/family education. 9. Consults with patients and their family/caregiver(s) through patient family education/training, advising them in the nature of their medical condition and by providing home programs. 10. Mentors and assists other occupational therapy staff in the management of highly complex neurologically involve patient cases, as needed. 11. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings as assigned to discuss patient care plans, outcomes, goals, barriers, and discharge plans. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm (8 hour shifts) Compressed/Flexible: May be Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 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. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Applicants must be proficient in spoken & written English Education and Experience. Applicants must meet at least one of the 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 must meet option 2 above under the Basic Requirements, Education/Experience if they have a current, full, active AND an unrestricted license as defined in the State Licensing statement below. 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. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. Grade Determination: GS-13 GS-13 Occupational Therapist - Program Coordinator 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 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, 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. Assignment: Occupational therapy program coordinators in this assignment evaluate, plan and direct a program to ensure proper coordination of care within the local facility inclusive of regional/national stakeholders such as The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), Universities, AOTA, and the VHA, Office of Academic Affiliation as appropriate. The OT program coordinator has full responsibility for managing the day-to-day activities of the program. They may be responsible for the coordination of assignments for multiple professionals comprising of an interdisciplinary team. Preferred Skills - Brain Injury rehabilitation and program management experience. Knowledge of CARF. References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-013 Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts can be unofficial transcripts; but must include your name, the school's entire name, must have the name of the course, date course taken, grade received for the course, amount of credits earned for the course, date degree conferred, (if applicable), (name of degree received, (if applicable). 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. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.