Career Center

The Occupational Therapist position is located at the New York Harbor VA Health Care System (Manhattan and Brooklyn campus). This position is clinically responsible to the Clinical Coordinator, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS), Section Chief and to the Associate Chief PM&RS, then to the Chief of PM&RS or designee. 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: The authority to set requirements is provided by 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(14). 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)). 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements above if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of this appendix. Certification. Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an Occupational Therapist. 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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Occupational Therapist, GS-12 In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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. 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: Medical-surgical support in inpatient and outpatient settings References: VA Handbook 5005/127 Part II, Appendix G14 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["Experience in Medical - Surgical patient support. Interpretation of physician's exercise prescriptions. Customer Relations. Independently evaluates patients. Assesses patient's abilities, deficits and potential, utilizing standard evaluation techniques, procedures, tests. Promotes independent living concept by evaluating patient's ability and training in the performance of activities of daily living (ADL) tasks. Evaluates and fabricates appropriate therapeutic devices and training patients in their use. Provides prevocational evaluations and vocational interventions, which include work hardening, i.e., work assessment, work capacity programming. Evaluates, trains, and develops perceptual motor skills and sensory integrative and cognitive functioning. Evaluates and develops psychosocial activities for the relief of frustrations, stress, anger, and hostility; the appropriate use of leisure time; and improving social interaction skills. Performs evaluation techniques based on academic knowledge and resources. Interprets evaluation findings and other pertinent information. Documents in core computer evaluations, ongoing patient treatment plans and performance via accurate and timely note writing, record keeping, and charting procedures based on established protocol by the DVA NY Harbor Healthcare System (NYHHS) and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. Ensures that all documentation is reviewed and countersigned by a licensed Occupational Therapist. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 37404F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results