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
• English Language: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• Education and Experience Requirement - You 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
• The program must be approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations
• Certification: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an occupational therapist 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, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia
• Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, the following criteria must be met to qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level
• GS-12 Grade Level - Education, Experience, Licensure: Completion of one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• In addition to the experience requirement, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs
• Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence-based practice
• Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits
• Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to 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
• Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment)
• Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training
• 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)
• Preferred Experience: Mental health and home visits 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 12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the full GS 12 performance Level, Physical Requirements: This position may involve standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and turning.