Summary The position is located in the Spinal Cord Injury & Disorders (SCI&D) Rehabilitation Therapy Service at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA. The Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist practices independently and is responsible for performing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions for a diverse Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders patient population having complex medical conditions including but not limited to injuries of the spinal cord. Responsibilities Major duties include but are not limited to: a. Clinical: (1) Treats Spinal Cord Injury patients with SCI&D, MS, and ALS using comprehensive knowledge acquired through continuing education and experience. Must use considerable judgement when guidelines are not 2 available to adapt procedures and techniques to accommodate individual deficits, ranges of progress, and problems that may occur. (2) Evaluates referred patients to determine current level of functioning (e.g. cognition, vision, range of motion, pain, strength, movement mechanics, posture, coordination, sensation, perception, coordination, self-care, homemaking, work performance, orthotic needs) using standardized or specialized tests, interviews, observations, medical record review, and consultation with other professional staff. (3) Consults with physicians and makes recommendations for plan of treatment. Demonstrates the ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders. (4) Develops rehabilitation objectives, in collaboration with the patient and/or family, in the form of a treatment intervention plan that includes short and long-term goals. Interventions to attain goals include but are not limited to: therapeutic exercise, muscle re-education, vision therapy, perceptual motor integration, cognitive training, fabrication and applications of orthotics and devices for daily living, instruction in compensatory techniques, and provision of patient/family education. (5) Re-evaluates the patient's status on a regular basis and adjusts the treatment plan appropriately. (6) Documents in the medical record: results of the initial evaluation; the treatment plan and goals; progress reports that include the treatment provided, changes in the patient's functional status, and changes made to the treatment plan; a discharge summary that includes goal achievement, recommendations for home program, and patient/family education. (7) Attends interdisciplinary team meetings; participates with physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and other disciplines in developing the patient care plan; advises the interdisciplinary team of treatment outcomes, current status of the patient, and progress toward goals. (8) When indicated, evaluates the patient's living environment through home visits or consultation with patient, family, significant others or home health professionals to assist in solving problems associated with community re-entry. (9) Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. (10) Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. b. Education: (1) Within this specialty, acts as a subject matter expert to provide clinical Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders guidance to other occupational therapists, rehabilitative and medical personnel. (2) Provides supervision and clinical training of occupational therapy students required for completion of academic programs at the associate, undergraduate and graduate level. Orients occupational therapy students to the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders occupational therapy program and assists with their training in this area, providing feedback about progress and performance. Assists OT graduate students with research in the area of Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders and provides volunteer opportunities for pre-OT students. (3) Provides orientation/training of medical staff, other disciplines, visitors, volunteers etc. about the occupational therapy Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders program. (4) Keeps current with evidenced based occupational therapy services in Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders rehabilitation and associated impairments through professional literature, in-service programs, and continuing education. (5) Provides in-service and patient education programs as indicated. c. Administrative: (1) Responsible for Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders occupational therapy program development, refining existing programs and evaluation of program effectiveness. This includes quality improvement monitors, program guidelines, protocols, overall philosophy and approach. (2) Maintains patient records and other data required by the section, service and medical center. (3) Submits requests for expendable supplies, additional equipment, educational material, and maintenance needs to the Director of SCI/D Rehabilitation Therapy Services. 4 (4) May be requested to serve on a service level committee or to represent SCI&D Rehabilitation Services on a medical center committee. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM -- 4:30 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements: (a) United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. (b) Education/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 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 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 20824-1220. (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. Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) GS-13 Grade Requirements: Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level and one of the following: Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice either in Spinal Cord Injury & Disorders, assistive technology, seating & positioning, power wheelchair assessments, evaluations and fittings in a rehabilitation setting. This time must be between the past two and five years; or Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in spinal cord injury, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis or Inpatient Rehabilitation.; or An additional advanced degree in a related field. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the all following KSAs. Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. Preferred Experience: Experiences in spinal cord injury & disorders (SCI&D); amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Seating and positioning, complex manual/power wheelchair assessments and fittings. Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders occupational therapy program development, refining existing programs and evaluation of program effectiveness. All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification. It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.