The Nebraska-Western Iowa VA Health Care System is recruiting for one (1) Occupational Therapist at the Papillion Community Living Center. 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: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)). b. Education and/or Experience. (1) 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. (2) 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. c. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. d. 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. a. Occupational Therapist, GS-9 Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. b. Occupational Therapist, GS-11 Education, Experience, or Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or Doctorate in occupational therapy. and 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. c. Occupational Therapist, GS-12 Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. and Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate 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. Preferred Experience: Community Living Center/Skilled Nursing Facility experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/127, 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. ["The incumbent is assigned to the Rehabilitation Department and provides comprehensive Occupational Therapy care to inpatient veterans and cross coverage as needed. The incumbent is responsible for completing complex evaluation and treatments applying advanced evaluation methodologies and treatment theories in the provision of care to Veterans with a wide variety of functional impairments. CLINICAL FUNCTIONS Plans, coordinates, and carries out Occupational Therapy evaluations and interventions for referred veterans to restore function, compensate for dysfunction and improve quality of life and independence. Evaluates Veteran's needs for assistive devices and adaptive appliances, recommends adjustments for prosthetic/orthotic devices and makes minor adjustments to obtain maximal functional benefits. The therapist may fabricate orthotic devices and may make modifications on a wide range of orthoses. Receives veteran referrals from appropriate source and assures that veterans are scheduled for evaluation and treatment in a timely fashion. Schedules veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team. Functions on a multidisciplinary team, representing the Rehabilitation Department by communicating directly with team members such as Veteran's physician, nursing personnel. social worker, dietitian, and other disciplines involved with the veteran's care. Always utilizes equipment appropriately and ensures safe operation Responds appropriately to emergency situations; demonstrates compliance with fire, disaster, and infection control policies. Participates in developing departmental protocols, policies, and teaching materials. Perform set-up and pre-cleaning for all reusable medical equipment per policy. LEADERSHIP: Identifies current and potential problems with participation in formulation of a plan for resolution. Assists other therapists in modifying and adapting treatment plans for patient specialty populations. Acts as a resource and reliable role model to other staff members and students in areas of expertise. Provides direct supervision and teaching of students, volunteers, therapy assistants, and health technicians. Assumes the responsibility for orienting new staff as assigned. Delegates care appropriately. Conducts educational in-services to interdisciplinary health care providers as needed/requested. Serves as a resource person on task forces for process improvement when appropriate. Physical Requirements: The work environment involves the normal risks and discomforts typical of a professional occupation with lifting, assisting complex and incapacitated patients, working at the bedside, in the open gym, or in a treatment room. Incumbent is expected to use and to advise personnel within the section to use all aids for safety to avoid personal injury to self or patient. The working schedule is basically stable. Duty hours may vary accordingly to provide adequate patient coverage and staffing. Staff must possess a valid driver's license as travel is required, as needed, for staff trainings, patient assessment, equipment set up/instruction and patient treatment. Work Schedule: 1:00 pm-5:00 pm Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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