Occupational Therapy Assistant

Summary This announcement is for the Occupational Therapy Assistant in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&R) in the VA Central California Health Care System in Fresno, CA. The Occupational Therapy Assistant assists in the remediation and rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental impairments. Duties Clinical Assists with the screening, evaluation and re-evaluation process by implementing specifically delegated assessments for which competency has been established and by providing verbal or written reports of observations and client capacities to the OT. Receives and interprets instructions from the OT. This includes completing a thorough review of the OT evaluation, treatment plan and patient data and coordinating to ensure that any necessary clarification is obtained. Utilizes more complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills, to maximize client's functional status. Modifies and adapts therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. Identifies and recommends complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment. Contributes to the discontinuation or transition plan by providing information and documentation to the supervising occupational therapist related to the client's needs, goals, performance and appropriate follow up resources. Schedules and coordinates treatment with other VA services. Carries out client education, specialized treatments, and applies occupational therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and AOTA documents. Knowledgeable about the client's targeted therapy outcomes and provides information and communication to the supervising OT when clients have attained established goals and/or when modifications to the treatment plan may be required. Documents OT services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by the PM&RS department and VACCHCS. Communicates needs or concerns to the supervising OT, to the interdisciplinary discharge planning team or through direct communication with personnel from other VA services. Provides education and consultation to health care practitioners about the client's treatment plan and occupational therapy scope of practice and services. Provides education to clients, caregiver, family regarding treatment interventions, e.g., adaptive equipment, approaches, environmental set-up, etc. Administrative Participates in OT department and PM&R service program development and quality improvement projects to include but not limited to peer reviews, committee membership and process improvement projects. Carries out ongoing personal development to ensure current knowledge in their work position and occupational therapy practice. Maintains and displays current knowledge by attending seminars, courses and actively reviewing professional journals. Assists with education of the medical center staff about the role of OT and services available for veterans. Participates in the clinical education of Fieldwork Level I OT students or Fieldwork Level I or II OTA students including completion of fieldwork evaluation forms. Completes all VAMC mandatory training in a timely manner. Uses the computer system for storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, transmitting and receiving e-mail, activating printers, requesting leave, and accessing the electronic health record. Maintains clinical areas, equipment and supplies in a clean and organized manner to promote quality treatment in a safe and functionally appropriate environment. Serves management's goal of optimum productivity and adjusts services to meet changing needs of the veterans served in various programs. s resolve client issues/complaints at the lowest level and refers unresolved grievances and complaints to appropriate sources. Follows policies and procedures (operational, privacy, IT security, etc.). Promotes and ensures a safe work environment. Follows established time, attendance, and leave procedures. Assists OT supervisor to ensure all employees work in a safe, clean, infection-free environment and promotes these practices among all employees. Fosters an environment that values and respects individual differences. Takes an active role in prevention of harassment behavior and adheres to policies. Other duties as assigned Preferred experience in short term rehab, skilled nursing setting and acute care setting. Work Schedule: M-F 8am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 09584F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Associate's [or higher] degree in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). OR Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE Certification. OTAs must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Licensure. OTAs must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico) or in the District of Columbia. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-08 Experience: One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to implement delegated assessments. (b) Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance. (c) Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status. (d) Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. (e) Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment. (f) Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services. Preferred Experience in short term rehab, skilled nursing setting and acute care setting. 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-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. 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/. Additional information Receiving Service Credit for 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.