Occupational Therapist (Home Health) - Education Debt Reduction Program Authorized
Company
Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Health Administration
Location
Big Spring, Texas Big Spring, Texas
Type
Full Time
Job Description
Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
Learn more about this agencyRequirements
Conditions of Employment
- 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.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- 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).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- Education and/or Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
- Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two years of experience as an occupational therapist; NOTE: baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA 01/01/2005 decision that the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. or
- Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two full years of graduate education in a related field; NOTE: baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA 01/01/2005 decision that ACOTE would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. or
- Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.
- Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education & Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Degree programs may be verified by contacting American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda MD 20824-1220.
- Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph 3b(2) if they have a current, full, active & unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph 3e of this appendix.
- Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.
- State Licensure: Candidates must possess a full, current & unrestricted state license, to practice occupational therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico) or in the District of Columbia.
- Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required state or territorial licensure & the NBCOT certification, both current & in good standing, must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.
- Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist
- OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess NBCOT certification &/or state licensure, may be appointed, pending certification &/or licensure, as a graduate OT on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2).
- Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level & may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure &/or certification is obtained. For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified & licensed.
- A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
- Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment.
- Failure to Obtain Licensure/Certification: In all cases, graduate OTs must actively pursue obtaining required credentials (i.e., NBCOT certification &/or state licensure) from the date of their appointment. The human resource office will notify the uncertified/unlicensed OT in writing of the requirement to obtain certification/licensure, the date by which the certification/license must be acquired & consequences for not becoming certified/licensed by the deadline date. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to obtain required credentials by the prescribed date will result in termination of employment.
- Physical Requirements: See VA Directive & Handbook 5019.
- English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken & written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Grade Determinations:
GS-12
Education, Experience & Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level & directly related to the position being filled.
Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of occupational therapy principles & techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory & evidence based practice. Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive & psychosocial functional deficits.
- Ability to collaborate and communicate orally & in writing with all internal & external stakeholders.
- Ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning & creativity to independently solve complex problems related to adapting & modifying assessments, treatment plans, activities & procedures to meet the needs of patients.
- Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting & modifying orthoses, splints & adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).
- Ability to conduct OT related in-service & clinical training.
- Experience recommending adaptive equipment
- Experience working in home health setting
- Two years of clinical occupational therapy experience
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: light lifting & carrying (under 15 pounds), straight pulling (.5 hour), pushing (.5 hour), reaching over shoulder, walking, standing & repeated bending (5.3 hours), ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 & to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors & hearing (aid may be permitted).
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript will be accepted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Note: Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
NOTE: If your school was accredited by ACOTE
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Date Posted
07/15/2024
Views
1
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