Occupational Therapist Job in Worldwide - 98125270 - ZAAD5YRQICX2S

Job Title:
Occupational Therapist

Department:
Department Of Veterans Affairs

Agency:
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Job Announcement Number:
HT38 129-11

SALARY RANGE:
$57,408.00 - $74,628.00 /year

OPEN PERIOD:
Monday, March 28, 2011 to Tuesday, March 27, 2012
SERIES & GRADE:GS-0631-11

POSITION INFORMATION:
Full-Time Permanent

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
11

DUTY LOCATIONS:
1 vacancy - Lufkin, TX

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
United States citizens


JOB SUMMARY:

The incumbent functions as a member of the Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Program's multidisciplinary specialty care team at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center's (MEDVAMC) Charles Wilson VA Outpatient Clinic in Lufkin, Texas, serving as the Rehabilitation Care Line's Occupational Therapy (OT) liaison to the program. 

HOURS OF WORK
Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.
ALTERNATE WORK SCHEDULE MAY BE CONSIDERED.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• U.S. Citizenship

Additional Duty Location Info:
1 vacancy - Lufkin, TX


RESPONSIBILITIES:  The incumbent functions as a member of the Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Program's multidisciplinary specialty care team at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center's (MEDVAMC) Charles Wilson VA Outpatient Clinic in Lufkin, Texas, serving as the Rehabilitation Care Line's Occupational Therapy (OT) liaison to the program.  (The position is officially assigned to the MEDVAMC's Rehabilitation Care Line, but the Clinic will be the incumbent's duty station, and a designated supervisor at the Clinic will maintain administrative responsibility for the position.)  The incumbent is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing effective evaluation and treatment programs in the delivery of OT services to assigned patients.  Though this will typically occur in a home-care environment, HBPC patient encounters may sometimes be accomplished at the Clinic, and the incumbent may also be assigned to treat non-HBPC patients referred for OT when needed.  Clinical duties include:  evaluating and treating patients with a variety of complex, multiple diagnoses; screening prospective HBPC Program patients; completing home accessibility and safety assessments and making recommendations for improvements; completing functional assessments; assessing the appropriateness of patients' durable medical equipment and other ADL equipment and determining the need for additional equipment; consulting with other clinicians, patients, and family members to maximize the benefits of therapy programming and provide continuity of care within the home; conducting patient/family training; initiating prosthetic requests for equipment/devices; designing and fabricating or modifying splints and adaptive equipment; referring patients for community resources.  Educational duties include:  supervising assigned trainees/interns; participating in workshops/in-services; maintaining current credentials by participating in professional/continuing education courses; participating in research and performance improvement programs as requested.  Collateral duties may include:  serving on committees; maintaining adequate supplies/materials/equipment for anticipated treatment needs; participating in peer review.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Graduation from a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or a predecessor organization, to include an internship, is required.  (Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet this requirement if they meet the certification and licensure requirements outlined below.)  All candidates must also:  1) possess written documentation of passing the entry-level certification examination for Occupational Therapists administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), 2) hold a full, current, and unrestricted license, certification, registration, or trademark to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia, 3) meet the physical requirements for the position, and 4) be proficient in spoken and written English.

Requirements for GS-11:  In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one (1) year of progressively complex experience – and a broader scope of experience - equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the Federal service OR three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field is required.  All qualification requirements must be met by the date of application.  A Standards Board will determine the starting grade level based on the selectee's education and experience.

You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.

After appointment, you will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use.

You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.

Applicants for this position must pass a pre-employment medical examination.
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.

Candidates at this level must also fully demonstrate the following:

  1) knowledge of advanced occupational therapy techniques to perform functions associated with the occupational therapy scope of practice,

 2) ability to communicate orally and in writing,

 3) ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and to identify the need for further assessment of function and utilization of non-standard methods and techniques,

 4) knowledge of principles and techniques for the assessment and treatment of occupational, cognitive, and psychological functional deficits,

 5) ability to interact with patients, families, and other health care providers,

 6) ability to facilitate and instruct during in-service and clinical training programs, and

7) knowledge and ability to apply health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and environmental maintenance.

BENEFITS:You may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, with costs shared with your employer. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FEHB.

Life insurance coverage is provided. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#life

New employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If you are transferring from another agency and covered by CSRS, you may continue in this program. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#retr

You will earn annual vacation leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#VACA

You will earn sick leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#SKLV

You will be paid for federal holidays that fall within your regularly scheduled tour of duty. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#HOLI

If you use public transportation, part of your transportation costs may be subsidized. Our human resources office can provide additional information on how this program is run.

Qualified federal employees may be covered by our child care subsidy program or dependent care flexible spending account. Our human resources office can provide additional information on eligibility. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#CCRS

You can use Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts for expenses that are tax-deductible, but not reimbursed by any other source, including out-of-pocket expenses and non-covered benefits under their FEHB plans. More Info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FSA
OTHER INFORMATION:

You must submit all required information by the closing date. If materials are not received, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible.

The materials you send with your application will not be returned.

If you fax your application, we will not consider it.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:  All applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, marital status, non-disqualifying physical handicap, or any other non-merit reasons.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:  This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.  The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

DRUG TESTING:  All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment (in a testing designated position) are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.  Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with the VA.

PBI:  Performance Based Interviewing (PBI) will be used whenever interviews are conducted during the selection process.  To find out more about PBI, visit http://vaww.va.gov/hpdm/perf_based_interview.html or www.va.gov/pbi.

*This announcement will remain open until a selection has been made for the position.  Applications received from eligible/qualified candidates will be referred to the selecting official on a biweekly basis.

SPECIAL NOTICE: In accordance with the Government Management Reform Act of 1994, all new employees must designate a financial institution for the receipt of Federal wage and salary payments through direct deposit by electronic transfer of funds.

Public Law 95-201 requires that any applicant appointed to a direct patient-care position be proficient in spoken and written English.

HOW TO APPLY:You must submit your application so that it will be received by the closing date of the announcement.

FILING INSTRUCTIONS:  If you meet the requirements outlined above, you are encouraged to apply.

Internal applicants (MEDVAMC employees) – Submit VA Form 5-4078, Application for Promotion or Reassignment, as well as an application package containing all information/documentation relevant to demonstrating possession of the qualification requirements outlined.  The application package must include the appropriate application form for this position, VA Form 10-2850c, Application for Associated Health Occupations.

Outside applicants – Submit an application package including VA Form 10-2850c, Application for Associated Health Occupations, Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and all other information/documentation relevant to demonstrating possession of the qualification requirements outlined.  Those currently employed by the Federal government are asked to also submit a copy of their latest SF-50B, Notification of Personnel Action, and a copy of their latest performance appraisal.  Veterans claiming preference must submit a DD-214 identifying their discharge type, and those claiming 10-point preference must also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, along with the appropriate supporting documentation.

All Applicants – Failure to provide all information/documentation requested may result in receiving less than full credit in the qualification and evaluation process.  All forms identified above are available from www.usajobs.opm.gov (except VA Form 5-4078, which is available to MEDVAMC employees on the MEDVAMC Forms/P: drive) or from the Human Resources Management Section of the MEDVAMC (4th floor, Room 4A-149), between 8:00am and 4:30pm, Monday-Friday.  Application packages must be submitted via mail or personal delivery.  The mailing address is:  Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX  77030-4298, Attn:  HRMS (05B)/Rm 4A-149.  Please reference the announcement number when applying.

Submit a narrative statement responding to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) identified in the announcement. This information will be used to determine your eligibility and/or rating and is required.

Application mailed using government postage or through an internal federal government mail system will not be considered.
AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Michael E. Debakey Medical Center
Phone: 713-791-1414x7458 Agency Information:
Department Of Veterans Affairs
2002 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030
US

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.