Occupational Therapist

Summary

The Primary Purpose of the Position: OT serves as a member the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service under Program VII; performance level is responsible providing comprehensive assessments and interventions in an outpatient clinical setting. The Organizational Location of the Position: to provide services within the VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) in multiple locations to include Tyler - Dallas - Garland - Fort Worth - and Bonham.

Primary assignment location is Tyler VA OPC.

• United States Citizenship:
  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: (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
• Foreign Graduates
• Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements above 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
• English Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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.
• A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
• 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 (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations:
  Occupational Therapist - GS-09:
  Education - Experience - or Licensure:
  None beyond the basic requirements
• Occupational Therapist - GS-11:
  Education - Experience - or Licensure: (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• OR (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field
• OR (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy
• Demonstrated [Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice
• (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans - including goals and…