Supervisory Occupational Therapist

About the role

The position is located at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center within the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). The Supervisory Occupational Therapist is responsible for the effective and efficient management of Recreation, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation programs and services. The incumbent exercises administrative, programmatic and clinical oversight of all programs to ensure the delivery of quality care.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the promotion of health and prevention of diseases in accordance with their professional standards.
• Perform all tests procedures and interpret the results of all tests. Plan and implement a comprehensive treatment plan.
• Review the intervention strategies and provide appropriate treatment and recommendations.
• Participate and suggest other disciplines/agencies interventions.
• Work with a high degree of independence.
• Recommend to VA medical facility director projected staffing needs, equipment and supply management, and other operational aspects of administering and managing a program.
• Responsible for leadership activities, planning and designing services within the Medical Center's primary function, directive services, integrating and coordinating services in accordance with the scope of service offered, and improving performance. Responsible for goals, priorities, policies, procedures, clinical programs and resource allocations pertaining to DRS. Decisions are made exercising wide latitude and independent judgment.
• Have a working knowledge of the principles of interdisciplinary rehabilitation to communicate pertinent Veteran care and service delivery issues.
• Responsible for establishing an organizational structure and an operating system that ensures the efficient and timely accomplishment of DRS goals and priorities. Ensure that programs reflect and support the mission and priorities of the Medical Center.
• Responsible for preparation of annual reports, including budgetary planning, pertaining to the service.
• Evaluate and present budgetary and space requirements of Division of Rehabilitation Service. Ensure allocation of financial, space, equipment, and human resources effectively within DRS in a manner which demonstrates commitment to quality health care delivery, improved productivity, technological advances and cost effectiveness.
• Supervise other medical officers, recreation therapist, rehabilitation supervisor, and administrative officer for DRS.
• Oversee the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within programs using data-driven quality assurance processes.
• Provide Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation treatment education to patients and families/significant others.
• Provide technical and clinical consultation to the professional staff and supervise research, education and training progress within the service.

Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• 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).
• 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.

Certification: Must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist.

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.

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:

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

• 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).
• Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level and [directly related to the position being filled]. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to: 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. Demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. 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.

GS-14 Supervisory Occupational Therapist Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the specialized experience requirement, candidates must demonstrate all the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• Knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing clinically appropriate treatment interventions.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with employees, team leaders, and administrators.
• Ability to manage [resources] for a large, integrated service including not only occupational therapy, but also other focused rehabilitation, ancillary, or other health care services.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a group of professional staff.
• Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into cogent and useful policy in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites.
• Skill in providing clinical and administrative oversight [and supervision of] multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites.
• Ability to collaborate with strategic planning committees at local, VISN or national levels for new ventures addressing patient care delivery systems, facilities management, and system reorganizations.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with the work required for this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.