Occupational Therapist - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

About the role

The incumbent provides comprehensive Occupational Therapy care to inpatient and outpatient veterans and cross coverage as needed. The incumbent is responsible for completing complex evaluation and treatments applying advanced evaluation methodologies and treatment theories in the provision of care to Veterans with a wide variety of functional impairments.

Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, and carries out Occupational Therapy evaluations and interventions for referred veterans to restore function, compensate for dysfunction and improve quality of life and independence.
• Evaluates the Veteran's needs for assistive devices, and adaptive appliances, recommends adjustments for prosthetic/orthotic devices and makes minor adjustments to obtain maximal functional benefits. The therapist may fabricate orthotic devices and may make modifications on a wide range of orthoses.
• Schedules veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team. Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled Veterans and for family conferences.
• Assures all documentation is done in a timely manner as per documentation policy for all veteran visits.
• Functions on a multidisciplinary team, representing the Rehabilitation Department by communicating directly with team members such as Veteran's physician and nursing personnel, social worker, dietitian, psychologist and other Rehabilitation disciplines involved with the veteran's care. Advises and instructs medical center staff regarding care of veteran's needs and progress; also providing discharge planning information.
• Continues to maintain and learn advanced skills in this area by attending continuing education courses and training when applicable.
• Utilizes equipment appropriately and ensures safe operation.
• Responds appropriately to emergency situations; demonstrates compliance with fire, disaster, and infection control policies.
• Participates in developing departmental protocols, policies, and teaching materials.
• Performs set-up and pre-cleaning for all reusable medical equipment per policy.
• Assumes the responsibility for caseload coverage and continuity of care.
• Identifies current and potential problems with participation in formulation of a plan for resolution.
• Assists other therapists in modifying and adapting treatment plans for patient specialty populations.
• Acts as a resource and reliable role model to other staff members and students in areas of expertise. Provides direct supervision and teaching of students, volunteers, therapy assistants, and health technicians/aides.
• Assumes the responsibility for orienting new staff as assigned.
• Delegates care appropriately.
• Conducts educational in-services to interdisciplinary health care providers as needed/requested and when possible, staffing permits.
• Serves as a resource person on task forces for process improvement when appropriate.

Requirements

This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until 8/6/2026, or until all positions are filled. Applicants will be qualified based on documentation submitted and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager on an ongoing basis until the announcement is closed, cancelled, or filled.

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens.

Qualifications

• Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.
• Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
• Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.
• Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment.
• Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
• Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.
• Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
• Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.

Grade Determinations:

• Occupational Therapist, GS-9: Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements.
• Occupational Therapist, GS-11: Education, Experience, or Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or Doctorate in occupational therapy.
• Occupational Therapist, GS-12: Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.