Qualifications

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:

• The authority to set requirements is provided by 38 U.S.C. 7402(b)(14)
• a
• 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))
• b
• English Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• c
• Education and/or Experience
• (1) The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below (Note: 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.): (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
• TRANSCRIPT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION d
• Certification
• Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT
• CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION e
• 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
• Occupational Therapist, GS-12 Grade Determinations: (1) Education, Experience, and Licensure
• Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled
• (2) Demonstrated KSAs
• In addition to the [experience above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: a) 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
• b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders
• c) 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
• d) Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment
• e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training
• Preferred Experience: The following are not required but will be evaluated during the rating process and may distinguish highly qualified applicants: -Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) from an accredited program - Experience delivering OT services specifically to patients with SCI/D in an inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, or outpatient specialty setting - Current certification in physical agent modalities, including electrical stimulation, from a recognized credentialing body (such as the California Board of Occupational Therapy Certified Advanced Practice in Physical Agent Modalities) - Experience with functional electrical stimulation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, or integrated functional electrical stimulation systems in a clinical treatment context - Experience developing, administering, or coordinating evidence-based group exercise or health promotion programming for patients with physical disabilities or chronic conditions Experience with robotic-assisted rehabilitation platforms, virtual reality rehabilitation systems, or other technology-assisted upper extremity rehabilitation modalities - Experience as a primary interventionalist or treating clinician in a clinical research or research-adjacent setting, including experience administering standardized outcome measures and maintaining protocol fidelity - Experience with clinical program development, including development of standard operating procedures, clinical pathways, or staff training programs - Experience coordinating or supervising OT students, clinical trainees, or support staff - Demonstrated scholarly or professional contributions through peer-reviewed publication, national conference presentation, or clinical education Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 12
• Physical Requirements: Work is performed in clinical areas, gymnasium and exercise spaces, various hospital wards, and virtual and telehealth environments
• Physical demands include moderate work: prolonged standing, walking, demonstration of exercise activities, and occasional handling of exercise and rehabilitation equipment
• Occasional lifting of objects up to 50 pounds may be required
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Category II.