Occupational Therapy Assistant

Description:

This Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) works for the Rehabilitation Care Services within the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System. The primary function of this OTA position is direct patient care, demonstrating their ability to provide occupational therapy treatment interventions that promote the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction.

Requirements:

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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements :

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below:
  • Associate's or higher degree in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
  • Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE.
• Certification:
  • OTAs must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• Licensure:
  • OTAs must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico) or in the District of Columbia.
• Exceptions for Non-Certified or Non-Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant.
  • OTAs who graduated from an ACOTE approved occupational therapy assistant program but do not possess the NBCOT certification and/or licensure requirements, may be appointed, pending licensure and/or NBCOT certification, on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
  • OTAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure and/or certification are obtained.
• English Language Proficiency. OTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English [in accordance with 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 Therapy Assistant, GS-05

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. None.

Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-06

• Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy practice.
  • Knowledge of basic group techniques and interpersonal communication
  • Skill in written communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education.
  • Skill in oral communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education.
  • Ability to assist in the development of treatment goals/objectives.
  • Ability to implement a patient care plan incorporating activity analysis theory

Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-07

• Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Skill in promoting occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas
  • Ability to perform in depth chart review to identify treatment goals and implement treatment plans.
  • Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients.
  • Ability to provide multi-step instructions to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual.

Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-08

• Experience. One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Ability to implement delegated assessments.
  • Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance.
  • Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status.
  • Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities.
  • Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.
  • Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services.

Preferred Experience:

• One year of experience in acute care and/or inpatient rehabilitation
• Familiarity with Seating & Position and/or working with powered mobility devices such as powered wheelchair or scooters

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 lbs; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking/Standing; 0 - 2 hours; Kneeling/Crawling/Repeated Bending, 0 - 1 hours; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Mental/Emotional Stability; Working closely with others, Working alone; Working inside/outside;