Occupational Therapist

Summary

The Staff Occupational Therapist, Outpatient Occupational Therapist is in the O.T. Department of the PM&R in the Western Colorado Health Care System. The Occupational Therapist provides direct patient care, and effective case management of Occupational Therapy patients in outpatient locations at the Western Colorado Health Care System. WCHCS is a level 3 complexity facility, with intermediate surgical complexity status, a Polytrauma Point of Contact site and is an Amputation Clinic Team site.

Duties

• Staff Occupational Therapist. Provides direct patient care and effective case management of Occupational Therapy patients for in-patient and outpatient services, as well as Home Safety Evaluations. Actively participates as a member of interdisciplinary outpatient care coordination team. Coordinates PM&R focused in-service training opportunities for PM&R and the facility as a whole. Coordinates additional staffing based on outpatient census. Acts as a subject matter expert regarding Outpatient Occupational Therapy services, and mentors other staff as appropriate. Travels to patient homes to perform home safety evaluations using government furnished vehicle. Performs comprehensive patient evaluations: Primary patient care responsibilities will be outpatient and inpatient Occupational Therapy intervention. Patients are scheduled for evaluation and follow up appointments in such a manner as to not negatively impact other clinical staff yet meet the patient's needs. Patient medical records are reviewed to assess appropriateness of Occupational Therapy intervention, note any potential risks or contraindications to treatment and to assist in guiding the evaluation process. Evaluations include medical history, results, and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion, muscle strength, sensory/perceptual deficits, coordination, functional mobility, pain scales, and social needs. Evaluations address rehabilitation potential, behavior, motor skills, and psychosocial development at an age appropriate level. Knowledge of physical, occupational cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits. Responsible for providing comprehensive patient care for O.T. patients. Evaluation findings are used to develop and implement comprehensive patient treatment plans including objective, measurable goals, and timelines for completion. 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. Modifies treatment plan according to patient response to best meet established goals. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories or treatment of Occupational Therapy and their proper application using therapeutic physical rehabilitation and reconditioning procedures. Recognizes adverse reaction to treatment and initiates effective action immediately. Ensures appropriate patient referrals and discharges, coordinating referrals as needed. Updates FIM/FSOD database when covering CLC as well as monitoring updating MDS requirements. Administrative Functions Provides and contributes to the advancement of knowledge and techniques related to Occupational Therapy and other related topics. Identifies, collects, and analyzes appropriate patient care information to provide a database for performance improvement activities within the VA system. Investigates current concepts and scientific principles in Occupational Therapy practice through literature reviews, study of current research, clinical practice, and through attendance at continuing education courses and conferences. Consults with staff and physicians through patient presentations, attendance at interdisciplinary patient care conferences and/or specialty clinics. Coordinates needs related to Occupational Therapy. Responsible as a trusted liaison to the Supervisor of PM&R, advocating for appropriate patient care, and assisting the Supervisor of PM&R in monitoring continuity of care related to PM&R disciplines. Reports any concerns about veteran care through the appropriate channels. Assist in the development of new treatment programs, techniques, or refinements of current programs as directed by the outpatient therapy supervisor. Provides open communication with patients, families, Medical Center staff and others. Seeks clarification, listens, and conveys information clearly, in written and verbal fo…

Qualifications

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: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)). English Language 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: 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. Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license. 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. 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). 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. Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist, GS-09 Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments - Individuals assigned at the GS-09 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems. The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently. Occupational Therapist, GS-11-Education, Experience, or Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. OR Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field. OR Doctorate in occupational therapy. AND Demonstrated [Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)In addition to the [experience or education above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. Ability to implement intervention plans direct…

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.