The Housing and Urban Development VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Occupational Therapy Assistant provides direct patient care to Veterans enrolled in the HUD-VASH Program. HUD-VASH is an intensive case management program for chronically homeless Veterans aimed at providing psychosocial services to Veterans while residing in stable housing through HUD's Section 8 voucher system. QUALIFICATIONS Applicants pending the completion of certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education. Applicants must meet one of the requirements below: Associate's degree (or higher) in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the America Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE. Certification: OTA's must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTA's administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Licensure: OTA's must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia. Exceptions for Non-Certified or Non-Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant: OTAs who graduated from an ACOTE approved occupational therapy assistant program but do not possess the NBCOT certification and/or licensure requirements, may be appointed, pending licensure and/or NBCOT certification, on a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed two years. OTAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure and/or certification are obtained. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements. GS-5 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above. GS-6 Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition, applicants must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of evidence-based occupational therapy practice. Knowledge of basic group techniques and interpersonal communication Skill in written communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. Skill in oral communication to document data, progress/change in status, discharge status, and patient or caregiver education. Ability to assist in the development of treatment goals/objectives. Ability to implement a patient care plan incorporating activity analysis theory. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in an OTA [developmental] position. OTAs receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and require clinical direction by the treating OT. They complete a preliminary review/examination of patient data to select, adapt and implement basic intervention plans for the prevention, remediation and rehabilitation of non-complex diagnoses. OTAs recommend changes in treatment based on changes in physical, mental and/or medical status of the patient. They prepare and present written and oral patient care reports. OTAs perform non-direct patient care tasks including, but not limited to, coordinating schedules with team members and monitoring inventory of clinical supplies. They actively participate in patient/family meetings to identify patient's needs, report on patient goals and progress. OTAs communicate patient progress and any additional patient needs/treatment modifications to the OT. OTAs may provide clinical supervision (Note, this does not constitute supervisory control) to OTA students that will include promoting clinical reasoning and reflective practice, as well as ethical practice and professional competency development. GS-7 Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition, applicants must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in promoting occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas Ability to perform in depth chart review to identify treatment goals and implement treatment plans. Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients. Ability to provide multi-step instructions to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve in an OTA [developmental] position. OTAs receive guidance from more experienced staff members and/or treating OT, for patients with comorbidities and/or requiring complicated interventions. They grade and adapt treatment interventions to maximize patient's functional status. OTAs provide education regarding ways to structure activities and areas of occupation for patients to family members, other care professionals and program staff. They interact with patient and family to explain therapy procedures and discuss treatment plans to comply with indicated regimens and post discharge activities. OTAs may provide clinical supervision (Note, this does not constitute supervisory control) to OTA students and other healthcare practitioners. This will include promoting clinical reasoning and reflective practice, as well as ethical practice and professional competency development. They provide department in-service training and provide caregiver and home management training to patients and families. OTAs assist in the orientation of, and may function as a preceptor to, employees and students new to the unit as assigned and promotes occupational therapy within the facility. GS-8 Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition applicants must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to implement delegated assessments. Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance. Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status. Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment. Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as a full performance level OTA. OTAs at this level receive minimum guidance from the OT and seek guidance for more complex patients and specialized treatment procedures. They contribute to the screening, evaluation and re-evaluation process by administering delegated assessments and reporting observations and patient performance to the OT. OTAs plan, coordinate and administer occupational therapy treatment for prevention, remediation and rehabilitation of diverse diagnoses in all practice areas to both individuals and groups as well as develop and implement new programs. They recommend and modify assistive devices and instruct patients on their care and use to ensure optimal performance. OTAs independently provide patient education on areas of occupation, assistive devices and orthotics based on patient's and families' level of cognition, cultural and/or behavioral variables. OTAs collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to make recommendations for the patient's rehabilitation, reintegration and disposition needs. They develop, participate in and ensure compliance with quality improvement activities through participation in medical center/section committees as delegated. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G22- Occupational Therapy Assistant Qualification Standard. ["Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provides comprehensive intervention under the supervision of an occupational therapist, utilizing knowledge of a variety of standardized assessment tools. Receives and interprets requests for occupational therapy procedures. Completes in depth chart review/examination of patient data (including medical history) and compiles and organizes pertinent patient information to develop a patient profile that will be used to assess the Veteran's status and ascertain the level of need for therapy assistance. Provide treatment and assistance that is based on the Veteran's needs. The incumbent will render specialized occupational therapy treatments and procedures based on the assessed needs of the Veteran. Monitors and records the Veteran's condition during treatment and take appropriate action when deviations in their condition are recognized. Screens, advises, and assists Veterans through the occupational therapy regimen. Provides information and education to the Veteran regarding adjusting treatment procedures and interventions as needed. Assists the Occupational Therapist in development of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes both long and short term goals. Creates patient care plans that incorporate activity analysis theory. Provides multi-step instructions to Veterans, caregivers and other healthcare professionals adapting to instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM Compressed/Flexible: available for highly qualified candidates. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
