Qualifications

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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: Supervisory Occupational Therapist, GS-14 Education, Experience, and Licensure: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level (Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions
• Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality performance, and productivity within the service
• Skill in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers to include conflict resolution
• Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools.)
• Demonstrated KSAs: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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 a diverse range of 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 diverse 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: The work is primarily sedentary but requires some walking and in times of staff shortages or absences, assisting with direct patient care activities
• Work is performed in an office and/or clinic setting within a medical center environment
• however, travel may be required to visit CBOC facilities and attend conferences
• Telework is available via an ad hoc agreement, i.e., inclement weather or other facility emergency.