Summary

The Occupational Therapist (OT) position is in the section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The OT in this position will be primarily based in the Inpatient Spinal Cord (SCI) unit and may be asked to rotate to other areas of clinical or administrative need, along with working occasional weekends.

Duties

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO:

GS-09: This level is considered entry-level with a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently. The OT may have guidance from more experienced therapists as needed while expanding the ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions.

GS-11: This level is considered developmental and practices independently and professionally. The OT may have guidance from more experienced therapists for treatment of patients with higher complexity conditions as needed.

GS-12: This level is considered a full-performance clinician who practices independently to provide comprehensive Occupational Therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity. The OT plans, implements, and coordinates comprehensive Occupational Therapy services for adult and geriatric veterans who have complex medical, neurological, orthopedic, and psychological disorders.

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE BELOW ARE AT THE FULL-PERFORMANCE GS-12 LEVEL:

• CLINICAL:
  
  • Applies more advanced and current knowledge of OT principles and techniques, grounded in OT theory and evidence-based practice for a wide range of complex conditions.
  • Evaluates patients' Occupational Profile, abilities, and functional limitations using standardized tools; develops individualized treatment plans based on evaluation findings, OT theory, and evidence-based practice; and administers appropriate Occupational Therapy programs for patients with varying degrees of complexity.
  • Demonstrates a full professional understanding of OT treatment theories and their appropriate application using activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frames of reference, and therapeutic procedures.
  • Modifies and progresses interventions in response to subtle changes in patient status, comorbidities, and psychosocial factors.
  • Documents initial plan, interim progress, and final summaries in patient's electronic record in a timely manner. Re-evaluates and modifies the treatment plan as needed to achieve targeted outcomes.
  • Frequently responsible for triaging or screening consults, determining appropriateness and priority of OT referral for complex presentations, and coordinating care across services.
• EDUCATIONAL:
  
  • Trains Occupational Therapy trainees independently. Assists in development and upgrading of training program content.
  • Independently plans and tailors education to veteran and family needs.
  • Provides structured teaching to students and team members on OT topics and training.
  • Provides education and training to family members and caregivers regarding the patient's functional status, performance of ADLs, and operation and maintenance of equipment.
• ADMINISTRATIVE:
  
  • Maintains patient attendance records and other statistics required by department. Completes and maintains record keeping in accordance with PM&R, VAPAHCS, VACO and VHA policies, procedures and guidelines regarding timeliness. Completes and submits reports as requested.
  • Shares responsibility for clinical environment and maintenance. Writes work orders as necessary to maintain environment of care. Submits requests for clinical supplies and materials and ensures proper supply levels are maintained for patient treatment. Makes suggestions for major equipment purchases for the department.
  • Develops forms for treatment guidelines, data collection, or patient education.
  • Schedules/organizes patient visits to ensure adequate time for treatment, taking into consideration priority and frequency of care and coordinating with other members of the health care team.
  • Complies with OT stocked prosthetics and logistics equipment process and maintains inventory levels accordingly.
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  
  • This work involves standing and walking for about 50% of a normal workday. In addition, the Occupational Therapist must be able to squat, kneel, push, pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above shoulder height. The physical demand level as defined by the Department of Labor is "medium," requiring the occasional lifting of 20-50lbs, the frequent lifting of 10- 25 lbs, and the constant lifting of 10lbs during the normal workday. Occupational Therapy requires manual dexterity and coordination to use computers and computer programs, administer physical agent modalities (if appropriate), fabricate/modify splints, and to demonstrate the use of mobility equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers. Additionally, the Occupational Therapist must be able to modify such equipment using tools (i.e., scissors, exacto knives, wrenches and/or screwdrivers).
• Other Duties as assigned

Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm or as determined by the supervisor.

Compressed/Flexible: This may be authorized at the supervisor's discretion.

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: GS-09 10776-F, GS-11 10777-F, GS-12 10778-F

Requirements

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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.
• 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.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• 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.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

2. English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. a7 7403(f).

3. Education and/or Experience:

• The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
  
  1. Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist; NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) January 1, 2005 decision that the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) would only accredit master's or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. OR
  2. Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1, 2005 decision that ACOTE would only accredit master's or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. OR
  3. 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 United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Degree programs may be verified by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy

4. Certification: Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an OT.

5. State Licensure: Candidates must possess a full, current, and 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.

Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist:

1. OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure, may be appointed, pending certification and/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. a7 7405(c)(2).
2. Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained. For grade levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed.
3. A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
4. Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment.

Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation. Employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

1. They may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
2. If an OT who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
3. OTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
4. OTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist

GS-9:

• Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-11:

• Education, Experience, or Licensure:
  
  • (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or
  • (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or
  • (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy.
• Demonstrated [Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  
  • (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.
  • (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment.
  • (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
  • (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.
  • (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
  • (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
  • (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.

GS-12:

• Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade le