Occupational Therapist

This Occupational Therapist position is in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the VA Boston Healthcare Systems located at the Jamaica Plain location. This position is a part-time at 24 hours per week. 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. 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).
• Education and/or Experience . 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; or
  • (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. AND
  • 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.
• Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist.
• 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).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)

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 :

Occupational Therapist, GS-12

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:
   • Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence based practice. 7 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.

Preferred Experience: Work experience in wheelchair and seating in the last year or ATP certification; Outpatient OT experience in neurological disorders or orthopedic injuries within the last year.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .

Physical Requirements: The work involves standing, stooping, moderate to heavy lifting, sitting, pulling, assisting patients in transferring from various devices (bed, W/C, floor, motorized vehicles, mats etc.). Additionally, moving patient and supplies and pushing patient in their manual or motorized W/C's. Additionally, the incumbent is required to work at a computer workstation to complete his/her documentation for clinical patient care or administrative needs. Occasionally, the incumbent may need to drive a government vehicle. Incumbent will be required to travel to all campuses of VA BHS. 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: . 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: .