Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Summary

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service is seeking a full-time Occupational Therapist Clinical Specialist for the VA Medical Center in Birmingham Alabama.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/14/2024 to 06/27/2024

• Salary

$110,429 - $143,561 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 13

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Birmingham, AL 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-Ad-Hoc

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0631 Occupational Therapist

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTB-12445131-24-KDW

• Control number

795591700

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current permanent Birmingham VA employees only.

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Duties

The Neurological Clinical Specialist has advanced training related to the evaluation, treatment, and management of individuals with neurologic diagnoses such as Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Ataxia and Neuropathies, and other disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• The CNS spends at least 50% of their time working within the area of Neurologic Occupational Therapy.

• The individual is responsible for serving as the subject matter expert for Neurologic Occupational Therapy and consultant to occupational therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients with neurologic conditions.

• Provides in-service and clinical training programs as assigned by the Supervisor of the Occupational Therapy Department or Rehab Coordinator.

• Designs, conducts, and evaluates education, experiences within specialty content area for staff members, taking an active role in literature searches, and seeks educational opportunities to enhance the Physical Therapy Department, PMRS, and the Medical Center.

• Establishes and maintains contact with other key staff involved in patient care via written, telephone, and personal communication on a regular basis at the Medical Center.

• Develops and provides timely reports to the Supervisor, Occupational Therapy Department or Rehab Coordinator.

• Maintains timely data input utilizing care plans, initial assessments and/or specialty protocols as part of an ongoing process in coordination with other key interdisciplinary staff to provide effective patient care.

• Represents the Occupational Therapy Department and PMRS at various clinical and administrative meetings/rounds at the discretion of the Rehab Coordinator or Service Chief

• The CNS has advanced knowledge and demonstrates expert clinical practice skills in providing assessment and treatment interventions across the continuum of care.

• He/she utilizes advanced knowledge and expertise to establish and modify treatment plans and to identify therapeutic activity interventions based on the changing need, goals, and performance of patients.

• He/she exercises expert professional judgement to establish appropriate discharge planning recommendations to ensure safe discharge from inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs.

• Reviews and interprets Physicians orders for accuracy and appropriateness. Reviews patient medical records and contacts physicians to make authorized changes required. Conducts comprehensive patient examinations to identify rehabilitation problems and establish treatment goals.

• The CNS interprets findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and during evaluation, selects appropriate clinical test and measures, and then integrates findings into the occupational therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations.

• The CNS performs examination, treatment planning and intervention, and documentation as needed for support personnel.

• The CNS can work with patients from a wide range of ages and backgrounds.

• Demonstrates and maintains full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment. Must ensure that the appropriate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and manufacturer's instructions are followed for any step in the use of RME (pre-cleaning, reprocessing, disinfection, sterilization, maintenance) in which the employee is involved.

• The CNS serves as a clinical instructor occupational, l therapy and occupational therapy assistant students.

• Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation per facility policy.

• Participates in quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the Supervisor of the Physical Therapy Department or Rehab Coordinator.

Work Schedule: 8:00 am

• 4:30 pm, Monday

• Friday

Telework: Ad Hoc

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: FS55928

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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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.

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.

• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

• Education. 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.

• 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.

• Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.

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-13

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.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

(a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice.

(b) Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners.

(c) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. (e) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization.

(f) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization.

Preferred Experience: Must be a certified Neurological specialist

References: VA Handbook 5005/127 PART II APPENDIX G14

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44pounds), Heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (2 hours), Standing (8 hours), Repeated bending (4 hours), Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Hearing (aid permitted), and Mental & Emotional Stability.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

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.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.