Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Summary Incumbent is assigned to the Geriatrics and Extended Care Service at the VA St. Louis Health Care System. Incumbent is a treatment specialist in DRIVER Rehabilitation and will provide advanced evaluation and treatment for Veterans with physical, cognitive, and visual impairments affecting driving ability. Conducts clinical and on-road assessments, develops treatment plans, recommends adaptive equipment, and provides consultation to support safe community mobility and independence. Learn more about this agency Duties Duties include but are not limited to the following: Driver Rehab incumbent will be a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS), certified through the Association for Driver Rehabilitation (ADED). incumbent will spend direct patient care in Driver Rehabilitation greater than 50% of their time working in this area. Provide coverage to any/all locations program areas that are covered by the PM&RS line. Serves as a consultant for all health care providers regarding DRIVER OT and rehabilitation. Educates, orients, mentors therapy staff, Residents, Fellows, HPT, nurses, and other clinical staff regarding OT in general and specifically, as it relates to DRIVER mgmt. Participates as a valuable member of the interdisciplinary DRIVER team. Guides the work of this team regarding goal planning and discharge planning needs. Reviews and updates DRIVER protocols, policy, and program at the VASTLHCS. Provides evaluations and treatments that are in alignment with clinical practice guidelines and treatment for DRIVER care Participates in communication with community care providers to optimize the care of veterans. Plans, implements, and reports on performance improvement activities related to Choose an item. Occupational Therapy services. Serves as subject matter expert (SME) for Driver modalities and equipment, as it relates to DRIVER mgmt. a. Driver Rehab: Collaborates with local, and regional universities, in the area of Driver OT rehabilitation. Performs complex Occupational Therapy evaluation and treatment for male and female patients aged 20-85+ years old. Utilizes standardized, and non-standardized assessments, and compiles overall Occupational Health Information, concerning patient's social, physical, psychological and vocation status to determine a patient-centric treatment plan Involves the patient, family/significant other and medical team in treatment planning and goal setting. . Consultant to the Major Medical Equipment committee, in the area of DRIVER OT rehabilitation, if/when medically indicated. Plans and carries out the full range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex, and procedures involved require the application of specialized skills and knowledge in the area of DRIVER OT. Adapts and applies treatment procedures with critical concern for patients who are acutely ill, or who have a combination of severe mental/emotional or physical disabilities. Assesses for and requests prosthetic/orthotic equipment as needed and can make modifications as necessary. Makes recommendations and referral to other medical specialties/services as needs are identified during ongoing assessment of patients. Recognizes when to refer conditions outside the scope of OT practice, to the appropriate medical provider. Assists in the scheduling of patients according to the Occupational Therapy treatment plan while coordinating with the treatment plans of other disciplines within the team and facility. Maintains consistent and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with accepted OT practice, policies, and procedures. Assists in the care of patients other than those of the specialized area DRIVER rehab as caseload permits, or as the needs of the department dictate. Float to other areas of clinical practice as needed to maintain staffing throughout the department. Actively participates in his/her own professional development maintaining an appropriate level of education as required by Professional State Licensure for Occupational Therapy, NBCOT and the AOTA. Develops and provides individualized clinical training experience for Occupational Therapy students. Provides necessary guidance, direction, and supervision to HPT, Occupational Therapy Fellows and/or students, volunteers, and/or CWT workers assigned to the PM&R clinic. Serves as a resource clinician, to the community and VISN 15, in matters relating to DRIVER OT. Over-sees the day-to day operation of the clinic area to which assigned. T Consultant to the Major Medical Equipment committee, in area of DRIVER rehabilitation, if/when medically indicated. Compiles and submits statistical data, reports and quality assurance findings to document program effectiveness, caseload, and attendance. Assists in the maintenance of the clinic and exhibits good safety practices following proper safety policies and procedures per VA, Joint Commission, CARF, OSHA, etc. for infection control, equipment etc. Monitors and manages inventory, equipment and supply needs for treatment, and informs appropriate staff if needs arise. Additional duties, as needed Work Schedule: 800am - 4:30pm, M-F, Weekend/Holiday Rotations Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000000 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. Must have an unrestricted Driver's License, minimum Class D. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 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. Education [and/or Experience.] (1) The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (a) 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 (b) 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 (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. (2) 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. Degree programs may be verified by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. 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 Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain [the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing,] must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) 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: To qualify for the GS-13 grade, applicants must possess the following requirements: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the [GS-12 grade] level and directly related to the position being filled [and one of the following]: A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or An additional advanced degree in a related field. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization Preferred Experience: Experience providing occupational therapy services in the area of driver rehabilitation, including behind the wheel assessment, adaptive equipment evaluation, and driver skills training. Demonstrate knowledge of functional, visual, cognitive, and perceptual assessments related to driving safety and performance. Certification or eligibility for certification as a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (e.g., ADED or CDRS) is preferred. Clinical knowledge to apply advanced OT knowledge/skills to the full range of Veteran populations, both inpatient and outpatient, demonstrating flexibility in delivering care across physical disabilities, mental health and psychosocial needs. 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-13 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. This position may require operation of a government-owned, or government-leased motor vehicle, to properly carry out the incumbents assigned duties. To operate government-owned or leased motor vehicles, incumbent must have unrestricted Driver License, minimum Class D. 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. Expand Hide  additional information 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.