Occupational Therapist - (EDRP Authorized)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

- Evaluates, develops, and implements appropriate occupational therapytreatment to address both activities of daily living and instrumental activities of dailyliving, range of motion, muscle strength, coordination, pain, motor skills, functional
- ability, home safety, environmental accessibility, cognitive function, sensory/ perceptual function and social needs. Addresses the Veteran's rehabilitation potential, behavior and any psychosocial aspects of care. Barriers to learning are identified and strategies to overcome them are developed and implemented to ensure accurate patient evaluation.
- Administers and interprets recognized tests and measurements to determine baseline level of functioning and treatment applications which will enable patients to achieve valued functional outcomes. Documents results as established in Scopes of Assessments and makes clinical treatment recommendations. Independently plans, coordinates, and carries out treatment program and re-evaluates and adjusts OT treatment as appropriate. Responsible for the management and organization of the treatment area and works independently in planning and carrying out a treatment program to meet complex treatment objectives.
- Problems not covered by guides are solved independently by utilizing specialized skills, knowledge, and experience. Independently solves complex problems related to OT. Adapts and modifies treatment plans, activities, and procedures to meet the needs of the Veterans. Conducts and documents PM&RS screening assessments in compliance with Joint Commission Standards and CARF making recommendations for treatment to meet a wide variety of complex rehabilitation needs and responds to requests/referrals for treatment. Serves as the PM&RS member of the respective interdisciplinary treatment teams.
- Provides Veteran with splints and/or adaptive equipment as needed to attain treatment goals. Educates Veteran and significant other in the proper application/installation/use for a specific device.
- Monitors Veteran's response to program, summarizes and analyzes Veteran's performance, and modifies program and goals when necessary to meet Veteran's needs as situations and performance changes to attain projected functional outcomes. Consults as needed with ward team members as to the progress and changing needs. Re-administers evaluations using established methods of measurement to document changes in Veteran performance as it relates to projected outcome levels. Regularly writes progress notes in the electronic record evaluating Veteran's response to treatment, analyzing treatment plans, progress, symptoms, attitudes, and reactions and record changes in treatment activities according to established policies, procedures, and time frames. Independently develops, plans, coordinates, and initiates new programs, activities, and procedures to meet needs of Veterans with complex problems/disabilities as well as the specific needs of the general population of patients.
- Maintains professional competency through documented and appropriate continuing education for professional and personal growth. Maintains professional state licensure and national certification. Maintains membership in professional organizations and reads current literature.
- Adheres to established standards, policies, and procedures set forth by section, service, and medical center. Participates in quality assurance activities and review including chart reviews, peer reviews, Veteran care monitoring, and Veteran satisfaction surveys.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 55830-F (GS-12)

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: *Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.*Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. [Learn more]()

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
- 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; 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.
- (2) 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 20824-1220.
- c. 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.
- c. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.
- d. 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.
- e. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
- f. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
- g. Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.
- 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).
- 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 requirement.
- 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Occupational Therapist, GS-12:
- (1) Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.
- (2) Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence based practice. Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits.
- (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders.
- (c) Ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to independently solve complex problems related to adapting and modifying assessments, treatment plans, activities and procedures to meet the needs of patients.
- (d) Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).
- (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training.

Preferred Experience:
1. Experience providing outpatient occupational therapy services upper extremity and hand conditions
2. Demonstrated experience to complete comprehensive assessments and rehabilitation treatment of functional status for basic and instrumental activities of daily living, to include functional cognition.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Activities may require prolonged standing, extensive walking, bending, push/pulling and lifting. Hazards include risk of exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, electrical hazards and risk of physical injury associated with patients with the potential to lose control or irrational behavior. Must be able to operate a vehicle and possess the ability to drive long distances and access homes that may be in poor condition and have poor environmental controls.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Accreditation Information: The bachelor's degree must 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. Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from [()

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.