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This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Albany VA Medical Center. This position provides support to Occupational Therapy and reports to the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Supervisor.
03/26/2025 to 04/04/2025
$91,430 - $118,864 per year
GS 12
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
No
76% or greater - You may be expected to travel for this position.
No
Permanent
Intermittent
Excepted
12
No
Yes
CAYI-12717571-25-KM
834229600
Duties and responsibilities are primarily carried out in the patient's home, but can also include the Medical Center, nursing homes, assistive living centers, etc.
The individual holding this position, at this grade level providing clinical coverage would include independently solving complex problems related to their discipline (Occupational Therapy adapting and modifying treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of patients with complex disabilities.) The individual would serve as a subject matter expert and a consultant in their discipline (Occupational Therapy) to other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients and serving as a mentor to students treating patients. They are assigned to all program areas which are covered by the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department and provide professional, independent discipline specific (Occupational Therapy) services in the assigned area.
The Occupational Therapist (OT) is responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare providers referrals. The incumbent establishes a diagnosis within the scope of occupational therapy, identifies appropriate rehabilitation intervention including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinically indicated. Incumbent formulates a treatment plan and goals, and is responsible for implementation, modification, and documentation of treatment. Incumbent exhibits complex clinical skills.
Incumbent schedules the patient for treatment in order to establish and achieve the maximum goal(s) for the patient. Incumbent frequently interprets and reports to healthcare providers the reaction to treatment, which have medical significance and diagnostic value. Incumbent functions as a core team member of clinical and or multidisciplinary team(s) for the purpose of providing total health care delivery to the patient and continuity of care bysharing ideas and exchanging pertinent information. As a member of the treatment team, the incumbent is responsible for the development and maintenance of professional standards of occupational therapy. Incumbent maintains a close working relationship with medical and allied health care specialists to assess patient conditions and progress and coordinate patient treatment to effect maximum rehabilitation potential. Incumbent demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of therapeutic rehabilitation procedures. Incumbent follows established guidelines, ethics and protocol of the Occupational Therapy Section, the PM&R Section, the department of Veterans Affairs and the profession. Modifies techniques and develops new approaches as necessary to ensure the realization of patient treatment goals. The incumbent uses both standard and non-standard methods and techniques for evaluating and interpreting a wide variety of patient physical and psychosocial functional levels for providing progressive treatment rationales. Incumbent functions as a clinical preceptor for affiliating, technical and professional level students in conjunction with the Clinical Coordinator and/or Program Coordinator. Incumbent serves as mentor for volunteer or observation students. Incumbent provides clinical oversight of Occupational therapy assistants.
Complete Encounter information in accordance with Stratton VA Medical Center guidelines. Using the computer system for storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, transmitting and receiving email, activating printers, requesting leave, and accessing the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) Communicate and coordinate coverage for anticipated leave and communicate unanticipated leave in accordance with PM&R Service policies. Perform other tasks as assigned by the supervisor of physical therapy and occupational therapy that are consistent with the mission of the section, care line and facility. Performs competent written documentation of initial examinations, progress notes, and discharge summaries. Demonstrates advanced competency in knowledge of electronic documentation and computer skills. Entering consults within the PM&RS Service or to the Prosthetics service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with PM&RS and medical center policies. Reviews and co-signs notes written by the COTA to whom the OT has delegated patient care. Incumbent participates on patient care and hospital committees to establish continuity and collaboration of principle/care. Incumbent will assist the quality assurance effort and prepares monthly reports as required to accomplish goals.
Complete all VAMC mandatory training in a timely manner.
Work Schedule: 3-4 days per week with a schedule of 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Functional Statement #: 21M93-A
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/.
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.
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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
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To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/04/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12717571.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
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NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
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This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/834229600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.