Occupational Therapist - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service

Occupational Therapist

The Occupational Therapist serves as a Clinical Assessor and will be matrixed to work as a member of a team within the Caregiver Support Program to determine program eligibility. Responsible for conducting assessments using telephones, video visits, and in-person home visits and provide ongoing education, case management, and support. Strong organizational and communication skills, the ability to summarize a broad range of data, documenting completely and efficiently. This position will require local driving.

Responsibilities Major Duties:

• Clinical:
• As part of the application/renewal process for participation in CSP Program of Comprehensive Assistance to Family Caregivers (PCAFC), the OT will serve in the role as Clinical Assessor, assessing a Veteran's functional needs, including the need for personal care services, particularly Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), supervision, protection or instruction, working closely with the Caregiver Support Program Coordinator(s) and/or designee(s) using Program Office approved standardized assessments--which will assist the Centralized Eligibility and Appeal Teams (CEAT) in determining eligibility.
• The OT Clinical Assessor will conduct initial home assessments as part of the application or reassessment process for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. The purpose of these home visits is to assess for functional and mobility needs and safety as well as to assess need for personal care services using standardized assessments--which will assist the Centralized Eligibility and Appeal Teams (CEAT) in determining eligibility.
• Recommending/entering additional consultations (i.e., to Physical or Recreational Therapy or prosthetic services) when the needs of the Veteran can best be served by the expertise of other professionals or services.
• Evaluating medical needs for orthotic, prosthetic or other adaptive equipment in accordance with medical center policies and educating the patient & family about safe & correct use.
• Reviewing pertinent patient data using the medical record and, as needed, remote data (e.g. VistaWeb, JLV and VHIE).
• Developing, implementing and communicating the occupational therapy intervention plan based on the evaluation, patient goals, current best evidence and clinical reasoning.
• Uses knowledge of programs/service offerings and best practice to apply to all veterans seen on OT caseload.
• Scheduling and coordinating treatment with other VA services. Treatment may take place within the home setting or Durham VA Medical Center and may be in-person or virtual, while maintaining privacy and confidentiality as appropriate.
• Providing occupational therapy treatment and caregiver training and education within the appropriate setting as indicated by the plan of care.
• Functioning autonomously in carrying out patient education, specialized treatments, and applying occupational therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and AOTA documents.
• Modifying the treatment plan, therapeutic activities and interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of the patient.
• Accurately documenting OT services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by the PM&RS, the assigned home based program and the Durham VA Healthcare System.
• Participating in interdisciplinary team meetings and effectively communicating the patient's response to care, occupational therapy recommendations and appropriate follow-up patient needs.
• Coordinating with outside agencies, Durham VAHCS providers and programs, and/or the Primary Care Provider as appropriate.
• The OT is responsible for participating in Occupational Therapy, PM&RS, and assigned Caregiver Support Program program development and quality improvement projects to include but not limited to peer reviews, literature reviews, committee membership and process improvement projects.
• The OT reviews OT programming within the CSP as well as what is offered in other programs to assure the needs of the participants are being met.
• The OT participates in outreach, caregiver support organizations, and foster relationships with community partners.
• The OT collaborates with other caregiver support staff to coordinate events that promote the CSP.
• The OT is responsible for maintaining a level of professional knowledge appropriate to the Veteran patient population.
• The OT may be called upon to assist with education of the medical center staff about the CSP including the role of Occupational Therapy and services available to our Veterans.
• The OT will share with the OT Section, and potentially the PM&RS Service, information gleaned at VA sponsored continuing education events.

Work Schedule: Full-time Monday-Friday

Position Title/Functional Statement #: 000000

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.
• 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).
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

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:
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education [and/or Experience (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.
• Foreign Graduates. Graduates] of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph 3b (2) 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.
• 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.
• 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:
• GS-12 Education, Experience: 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:
• (a) 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.
• (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate