Occupational Therapist

<p>This position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System in Prescott, Arizona. The Occupational Therapist practices independently to deliver direct patient care, completing assessments and evidence-based interventions that promote prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation for Veterans.. This position will primarily provide services in an Outpatient Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Clinic.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>GS-12 (Full Performance Level): Responsible for the assessment of referred Veterans that require rehabilitation services. Provides direct patient care to assess medical condition, functional capabilities, limitations, restrictions, and potential for rehabilitation. Conducts comprehensive patient examinations. Identifies rehabilitation problems and establishes treatment goals. Performs and interprets specialized evaluative procedures and tests. Establishes a care plan and administers a treatment program with specific goals determined according to the Veteran's capacity and tolerance. Sets realistic and achievable goals for Veterans. Develops and implements comprehensive treatments, including IADLs, pain management, joint protection, kinesiotaping, manual therapy, neuromuscular facilitation, modalities, strength/endurance training, energy conservation, attention and cognition, and patient/family education. Has knowledge, experience, and skill in the prescription, fitting, and training in the use of adaptive equipment, including orthotics, splints, assistive technology, wheelchair mobility, ADL devices, modalities, and devices for the outpatient population. Documents and records the Veteran's condition. Educates Veterans and families in daily functional activities, exercises, and use of adaptive equipment. Understands and adheres to NAVAHCS policies and procedures. Assists with triage of patient referrals/consults/self-referrals and follows scheduling and Community Care guidelines. Displays flexibility of schedule to accommodate unexpected customer needs. Assists with coverage to other PM&R clinics as needed. Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve interpersonal or professional conflicts. Participates in Process Improvement activities related to FWOPC, PM&R and NAVAHCS. GS-11 (Developmental Level):OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools. The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety, wellness, performance in activities of daily living (ADL); and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions. OTs demonstrate an understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services.GS-9 (Developmental Level):Individuals assigned at the GS-9 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems. The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently. OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists. OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed OT. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000 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. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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/.