Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) - Driver Rehabilitation

<p>The Occupational Therapist Clinical Specialist (Driver Rehabilitation) provides advanced evaluation and treatment for Veterans with physical, cognitive, and visual impairments affecting driving ability. Conducts clinical and on-road assessments, develops treatment plans, recommends adaptive equipment, and provides consultation to support safe community mobility and independence.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Duties include but are not limited to the following: Develops, tracks, enhances, and grows the Driver's Rehabilitation Program to meet veteran needs for the Orlando VA Healthcare System. Responsible for the supervision of assigned OT residents/fellows, students, and volunteers that rotate through the outpatient area. Given that this person is the subject matter expert in Driver's Rehabilitation, it is expected that they will participate in an OT Residency/Fellowship program as either a Mentor or Educator. Stays up to date with Driver's Rehabilitation policies as well as maintain networking relationships with Orlando Providers and subject matter experts at other VA sites throughout the nation. Be well versed in the latest technological advancements in Driver's Rehabilitation including safety equipment, cognitive training, and hand/eye skills required to independently drive an automobile. Handles all Driver's Rehabilitation referrals for therapy as well as teaching therapists at other sites the nuances of referring care for this population. Plans, develops, coordinates, and implements driver rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities. Conducts clinical and on-road assessments, equipment of vehicle modification recommendations, and training. Evaluation and Assessment specific to Driver's rehabilitation as it includes several areas pertinent to driving in addition to a standard Occupational Therapist Evaluation. These additional areas include acuity, field of vision, color vision, visual perception, visual processing time, attention, concentration, reasoning judgement, road sign recognition and rules of the road. Evaluates license eligibility. Monitors and tracks data, utilize available resources effectively, evaluate program quality, and generates reports for local, and/or VISN and/or VACO leadership. Develops and coordinates treatment and/or educational programs with a concentrated emphasis on Driver's Rehabilitation. Monitors outcomes and implements strategies for program improvement in the Driver's Rehabilitation arena. Assists the Service AO with clinical knowledge and guidance when needed upon answering Congressional and White House inquiries. Collaborates with other Clinical Specialist, Coordinators', and Supervisors to assist with administrative processes to obtain resources and equipment for operations of this specialty area. Assists with developing local policy for new or emerging practices and technologies. Performs detailed Driver's Rehabilitation Examinations and has a solid understanding of therapeutic treatments that facilitate positive outcomes. Plans effective goal-directed treatment programs that are appropriate and indicated for the disability/condition being treated. Provides clients and families with counseling, education, information, and training regarding the nature of their disease or disability, treatment plans and goals, home program, and post-program adjustment. This is accomplished individually or with the interdisciplinary team, family, and client. Recognizes contraindications and appropriateness of treatment prescribed by the primary provider and consults with provider if these are in question. Appropriately plans client discharge and/or need for continuing treatment and terminates treatment when the client reaches maximum benefit. Documents all treatment, progress, education, counseling and training in the patient's medical record. Documentation Is completed per station policies for content and timeliness. This includes timeliness of encounters and submission of charges. Plans, develops, and implements comprehensive, complex treatment programs for individual patients or groups of patients to relieve pain, restore or enhance performance, and maximize ability to function independently as possible. Helps patients participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Performs assessments, evaluations, and treatments for the prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction, and pain resulting from injury, disease and/or disability. Addresses psychological factors (thoughts, behavior, emotions) and social aspects of human performance as they influence mental health and participation in everyday activities. Must be willing to participate in the OT functional cognition program when census is low in the Driver's Rehab Clinic. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist); 81648F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>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/.