Outpatient Occupational Therapist

The Primary Purpose of the Position

An Occupational therapist may be assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services to those patients consulted through a healthcare provider and/or self-referrals.

The Organizational Location of the Position

The Organizational Location of the Position: Program III, in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas Clinic.

Summary

This is an open-continuous announcement, initial cut-off date of 05/15/2026.

Veterans

Veterans are scheduled for evaluation considering caseload complexity and acuity of medical condition. Coordinates Veteran schedule with other interdisciplinary team members.

Treatment Implementation

• Recognizes the appropriateness of treatment based on indications, precautions and contraindications (e.g. pharmacological) and uses professional judgement to initiate consultation to the appropriate provider.
• Evaluations reflect the complexity through Occupational profile and client history; Assessments of occupational performance; Clinical decision-making and development of a patient centered plan of care.
• Evaluations include medical history, results and interpretation of relevant evidence based methods and appropriate functional tests and measurements. Complex or unusual evaluations may be conducted independently or in consultation with clinical specialist.
• Demonstrates the skilled ability to evaluate client factors (specific capabilities, characteristics or beliefs), performance skills (motor skills, processing skills and social interaction), performance patterns (habits, routines and roles), environment (physical & social), and context (cultural, personal, temporal and virtual).
• Assesses the patient's medical conditions, functional capabilities, limitations, restrictions and rehabilitation potential.
• Treatment Implementation: Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals and timeliness for completion.
• Implements complex and innovative therapeutic techniques not limited to: Therapeutic media, lifestyle coping skills and modifications, complementary and alternative modalities (CAM), cognitive therapy and mobility training to maintain or achieve veteran's physical and/or emotional rehabilitation potential.
• Independently develops and implements comprehensive and advanced therapeutic programs and techniques.
• Recognizes and responds to adverse reactions and emergency situations of the patient during the session and modifies the plan of care. Documents treatment progression and/or modifications accordingly.
• Provides the equipment, materials, instruction, encouragement, or counseling necessary to promote functional mobility and activities performance.

Administration Functions

• Understand and adheres to department, program, and facility procedures.
• Schedules Veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team.
• Provides relief coverage, as needed, in any PM&R program in the event of shortage of staff to maintain the continuum of patient care.
• Participates in update of evaluation forms and protocols to adequately meet the requirements of the program and types of patients in assigned clinical setting.

Education and Research

• Identifies learning activities for self and others.
• Participates and contributes to the advancements of knowledge and techniques related to outpatient/inpatient management and Occupational therapy via in-services and/or may mentorship projects.
• Conducts in-services for interdisciplinary team and other rehabilitation programs.

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.
• HPTs: who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.
• Basic Requirements:
• Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. 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 (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist;
• Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field;
• Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.
• 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.
• Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.