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.
- English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
- Education and/or Experience:
- The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
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.
- Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist; OR
- Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; OR
- Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. 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.
- 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.
- Certification: Must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist.
- 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.
Grade Determinations: GS-14 Supervisory Occupational Therapist Requirements
- Education and/or Experience: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level and [directly related to the position being filled]. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include but are not limited to: serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. Demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research.
- GS-14 Supervisory Occupational Therapist Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the specialized experience requirement, candidates must demonstrate all the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in multiple professional areas to use these resources to guide the program staff in providing clinically appropriate treatment interventions.
- Skill in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution in dealing with employees, team leaders, and administrators.
- Ability to manage [resources] for a large, integrated service including not only occupational therapy, but also other focused rehabilitation, ancillary, or other health care services.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a group of professional staff.
- Ability to translate extensive rehabilitation knowledge into cogent and useful policy in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites.
- Skill in providing clinical and administrative oversight [and supervision of] multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs in complex facilities and/or across multiple sites.
- Ability to collaborate with strategic planning committees at local, VISN or national levels for new ventures addressing patient care delivery systems, facilities management, and system reorganizations.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14.
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with the work required for this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.