Occupational Therapist

Summary

In this position the Occupational Therapist is responsible for providing comprehensive assessments and interventions in an outpatient clinical setting. Ortho - Neuro - Pain Management - Pre/Post-Surgical Care - Hand Therapy - etc.) The Organizational Location of the Position: VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service - Program VII. The primary assignment location is Garland VA Medical Center.

• 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: (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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist
• (1) OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements - but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure - may be appointed - pending certification and/or licensure -] as a graduate OT on a full-time temporary appointment] not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)
• (2) Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained
• For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level - the OT must be certified and licensed
• (3) A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements
• (4) Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years - or converted to a new temporary appointment
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation
• More information:
  Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard Grade Determinations:
  Occupational Therapist - GS-09 Education - Experience - or Licensure
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignments
• Individuals assigned at the GS-9 grade level serve as…