Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

This position is located in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PMRS) at the Hampton VA Medical Center, The clinical and administrative duties are carried out within the Hampton VA Medical Center and associated CBOCs and future clinics. This positionspecializes in Upper Extremity Hand, Geriatric Clinical, and Wheel Chair Seating specialties area and as a consultant to the occupational therapy practice that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy.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:

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.

• 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.

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-13 Education, Experience, and Licensure:

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) A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years;
(b) Certification in an area recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA);
(c) Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; OR
(d) An additional advanced degree in a related field.

Preferred Experience: One year experience in and Upper extremity hand clinic preferably with a certification in Hand Therapy or equivalent hours of experience to qualify to take the CHT exam. Advance skills in splint fabrication, experience with acute post-op UE/Hand injuries and protocols. Able to work in a team setting and take direction from direct supervisor and collaborate with Orthopedic UE/Hand surgeon team.

References: VA Handbook 5005-Part II, Appendix G70.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-13.

Physical Requirements : There will be periods of walking and ambulating patients, providing patient transfers, some lifting of 45 pounds and over supporting patients. IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: . 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: .