Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) - Physical Rehabilitation

<p>This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>This position serves as an Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) - Physical Rehabilitation in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS). The GS-13 OT Physical Rehabilitation Clinical Specialist is a subject-matter expert and consultant on rehabilitation of a wide variety of diagnoses and dysfunction within Occupational Therapy and for the other medical center staff. Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Independently provides specialized Occupational Therapy services at all levels of complexity for veterans with dysfunction from a wide variety of diagnoses, with service delivery to include assessment, Veteran education, and needed intervention. Demonstrates full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in Occupational Therapy and their proper application using activity analysis, behavioral interventions, frame of reference, and therapeutic procedures. Collaborates with other team members, the veteran, and family members (when appropriate and allowed) to establish treatment goals and strategies based on the evaluation. Identifies needs outside the scope of Occupational Therapy and makes recommendations for appropriate referral. Plans a treatment program with measurable goals, based on evaluative findings and incorporating patient and family goals. Modifies the program according to changing patient needs and terminates treatment program when all goals have been met. Independently administers standard treatments in the area of physical rehabilitation therapy. Evaluates for the need of orthotic devices and custom-made orthotic devices to manage neurological of orthopedic conditions to meet the individual patient's needs. Accurately documents OT services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by PM&R service. Monitors his/her own productivity and clinics and identifies challenges and implements strategies to improve workload efficiency, identifies clinical priorities and allocates time and resources accordingly. Independently utilizes a wide variety of comprehensive evaluations using standard and nonstandard evaluation tools to assess a veteran's function in areas including, but not limited to, mobility, proprioception, neurological dysfunction, perception, cognition, and activities of daily living. Evaluations take into account the veterans age, lifestyle, culture, supports, living conditions, comorbidities, and history. Develops and revises/updates evidence-based protocols and procedures for evaluation and intervention in physical rehabilitation. Mentors staff OTs through sharing of advanced knowledge of contemporary Occupational Therapy for patients with neurological dysfunction and other physical dysfunction. Maintains a level of professional knowledge appropriate to the neurologically and physically impaired patient population through professional literature, in-service programs, and continuing education. Work Schedule: Full-Time; Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. 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. 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/.