Summary The Occupational Therapist is assigned to the Occupational Therapy Department within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service within the Extended Care and Rehabilitation Service Line. Primary function is to provide direct Occupational Therapy services to program areas that are covered by the Rehabilitation Services. including, acute care, rehabilitation, long term care, home care, inpatient and outpatient settings as a treatment specialist in WHEELCHAIR and Seating Rehabilitation. Responsibilities VA St. Louis Health Care System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. Major Duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Serves as a consultant for all health care providers regarding WHEELCHAIR and Seating Occupational Therapy and rehabilitation. Educates, orients, mentors therapy staff, Residents, Fellows, HPT, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding OT in general and specifically, as it relates to WHEELCHAIR management. Participates as a valuable member of the interdisciplinary WHEELCHAIR and Seating modalities team. Guides the work of this team regarding goal planning and discharge planning needs. Reviews and updates WHEELCHAIR and Seating protocols, policy, and program at the VASTLHCS. Provides evaluations and treatments that are in alignment with up-to-date clinical practice guidelines and treatment for WHEELCHAIR and Seating care that are evidence based. Provides a minimum of one (1) in-service education program per year to the OT department. Participates in communication with community care providers to optimize the care of veterans. Plans, implements, and reports on performance improvement activities related to WHEELCHAIR and Seating Occupational Therapy services. Serves as subject matter expert (SME) for WHEELCHAIR and Seating modalities and equipment, as it relates to WHEELCHAIR mgmt. Collaborates with VA prosthetic/logistics and VA approved community vendors, to select cost effective, Veteran specific, Wheelchair/Seating and Adaptive mobility supplies. Collaborates with local, and regional universities, in the area of WHEELCHAIR/Seating and Adaptive mobility OT rehabilitation. Demonstrates a high degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and executing treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives. Makes innovative adaptations of the clinical procedures herein to meet the complex and highly varying needs of the individuals in need of mobility needs and advises all other health care team members and students in this regard. Performs complex Occupational Therapy evaluation and treatment. Utilizes standardized, and non-standardized assessments, and compiles overall Occupational Health Information. Involves the patient, family/significant other and medical team in treatment planning and goal setting through ongoing communication. Consultant to the Major Medical Equipment committee, in the area of WHEELCHAIR and Seating OT modalities/mobility rehabilitation, if/when medically indicated. Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex, and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge in the area of WHEELCHAIR and Seating Modality OT. Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill, or who have a combination of severe mental/emotional or physical disabilities. Demonstrates independent problem-solving skills that allow for frequent modification of treatment plans in response to subtle, but significant changes in the condition of the patient. Assesses for and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and can make modifications as necessary. Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of this complex patient population. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, Weekends & Holiday rotation, Tour of Duty to be determined. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Duty Station: Floats between the John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks Divisions Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. 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 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. Basic Requirements: Citizenship: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy in accordance with VA Policy in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)). English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education and/or Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below. (a) 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 AOTA January 1, 2005 decision that the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. or (b) 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 or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. or (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. (2) 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 Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. c. Foreign Graduates. Graduates] of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph [3b(2)] if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of this appendix. 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). Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. 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. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing,] must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision: 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). Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the [GS-12 grade] level and directly related to the position being filled [and one of the following]: (a) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; (b) Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; (c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or (d) An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated KSAs: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice[ ]. (b) [Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. (c) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. (d) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. (e) Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. (f) Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization.] Assignment: Clinical OT specialists at this grade level serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. This individual must demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Clinical OT specialist may initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research. Preferred Experience: A minimum of two years of direct and continual clinical experience in the specialty area of wheelchair and seating evaluation and prescription is required and the incumbent must have a current Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) Certification through the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Grade Determination: The full performance level of this vacancy is (GS-13). The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of (GS-13). Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); Light carrying (under 15 pounds); Straight pulling (0.16 hours); Pushing (0.5 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (2 hours); Standing (4 hours); Repeated bending (0.5 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; 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; Specific visual requirement (read typewritten material); Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of color; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional and Mental Stability. For further information see VA Directive and Handbook 5019.Environmental. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.