Occupational Therapist

<p>This position is established within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System on the main campus in Tucson, Arizona. The incumbent may be assigned and rotated to the following treatment areas: acute inpatient, outpatient, the Community Living Center (CLC) or assigned to a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: CLINICAL - Possesses knowledge of advanced occupational therapy techniques to perform functions associated within the occupational therapy scope of practice. - Has primary responsibility for planning, revising, and implementing treatment programs based upon initial and interim evaluations, including the patient and family in the process. - Demonstrates knowledge of principles and techniques in the occupational therapy assessment and treatment of individuals consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidenced based practice, inclusive of the individual's occupational, cognitive, and psychological functional deficits. - Communicates and collaborates with the patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals, and other internal/external stakeholders both orally and in writing. - Adapts assessment tools and treatments to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrates the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of non- standard methods and techniques. - Provides appropriate devices for activities of daily living and upper extremity support and can fabricate, adjust, adapt, and modify orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment or other durable medical equipment for activities of daily living in order to meet the needs of patients. - Develops home programs for patients as needed prior to discharge and instructs patient, family, or caregivers in implementation of home program. - Manages time for scheduling patients to allow for unforeseen incidents or interruptions in planned program. Easily adapts, as needed to contribute to the overall function of the department, by assisting in coverage for absent staff members, to ensure continuity and quality of care for patients served. - Provides clinical oversite and collaboration with occupational therapy assistants (OTA) and students on clinical rotations who are in OT or OTA programs. - Assures section compliance with all applicable standards such as CARF and the Joint Commission and National Patient Safety Goals. ADMINISTRATIVE - Maintains patient records, statistics, etc. required by and for the section/service/center. - Maintains confidentiality of patient medical records according to established policy. - Effectively communicates and provides information to appropriate interdisciplinary team members related to patient progress, goal status, needs, discharge planning, as appropriate for his/her clinical area. - Maintains clinic and equipment in a safe and orderly manner in accordance with safety and infection control policies, JCAHO/CARF regulations, and other relative regulatory policies. - Responsible for maintaining knowledge of and adhering to all medical center and department administrative policies and procedures.- Delegates procedures, treatments, and consultations to appropriate and qualified personnel as the situation indicates (i.e., OTAs, students, volunteers, etc.). - Maintains effective communication using tact, courtesy, and respect during interactions with immediate coworkers, team members, all medical center staff, visitors, patients, and families.- Utilizes appropriate, effective instructor/learner interaction techniques to ensure a positive learning atmosphere for students. Completes all required documentation related to student rotations, as needed. -Assists with developing innovative programs within his/her department to improve patient care and the provision of services, regularly reviews all existing programs to ensure effectiveness. - Attends and actively participates in conferences, rounds, huddles, discharge planning, team meetings, etc., as part of an interdisciplinary team. EDUCATIONAL -Maintains a level of professional knowledge appropriate for age, sex and ethnic group of patients in program area. - Provides and attends in-services, seminars, workshops, and lectures related to clinical assignment and OT knowledge and skills, as well as PM&R services. - Serves on committees in PM&RS or the medical center, participates in community or professional organizations. - Ability to facilitate and instruct as part of clinical training programs, completes all required paperwork. - Participates in continuing education related to the evidence-based practice of OT to maintain current knowledge or competence in the practice area. - Conducts or assists with in-service programs for other services or departments as needed. - Participates in educational training programs or activities related to safety, infection control, quality assurance, CARF, etc. when requested. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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>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-09 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: This position frequently requires minimal (under 15 lbs.) to moderate lifting (15-45 lbs.) Normally such lifting will involve but not be limited to assisting with transfers or gait training of the client in the physical therapy session. Must be able to walk (up to 8 hours); Stand (up to 8 hours); and tolerate repeated bending. The environment usually involves everyday risks of discomfort which requires safety precautions typical of hospital, offices, and meeting rooms. There is the occasional risk of physical harm from a violent client which may require special precaution and training. Special precautions are required regarding infectious diseases through client contact and airborne organisms. These requirements are in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3K and VA Handbook 5019, Part II and Part III. 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/.