Supervisory Occupational Therapist

Description:

The Section Supervisor for Occupational Therapy has full responsibility for administering all aspects of the occupational therapy program within the NF/SG VHS. Services may include services in the acute care, outpatient, and extended care settings.

Requirements:

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: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a).
• English Language Proficiency. Occupational Therapists must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education and/or Experience-(Transcripts Submitted). The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
  • 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-
  • 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-
  • Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy

PLEASE 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. 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.

• Certification-(Submitted). Candidates must possess a current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification as an OT.
• State Licensure-(Submitted). Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the Basic Requirements provided in paragraph 4 of the Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard - GS-0631 (formerly VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14), the following are the grade requirements.

Grade Determinations for Supervisory Occupational Therapist, 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's) . In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • (a) Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
  • (b) Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality performance, and productivity within the service.
  • (c) Skill in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers to include conflict resolution.
  • (d) Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools.]
• Assignment. Supervisory OTs at this level are generally found at complex facilities. The supervisory occupational therapist is responsible for the supervision, administrative management and direction of the occupational therapy program in an OT section or equivalent work group. They have oversight for planning and directing the staff assignments in a variety of clinical settings. The supervisory OT provides a Veteran/client centered environment while enhancing staff engagement. Typical duties include: assigning work; monitoring clinical performance; resolving staff conflicts; identifying continuing education and training needs; and preparing performance standards and rating. They interview candidates for positions; recommend appointments, advancements, or when appropriate, disciplinary actions; administer leave; and coordinate staffing needs. Supervisory OTs may provide occupational therapy and have capacity to care for more complex patients. They develop/initiate new treatment programs which integrate outcomes and advancements in practice from current research findings. The supervisory OT serves as an instructor in the facility's in-service clinical training program. They serve as an advocate and resource consultant to the therapy staff and facility-at-large through communication with other departments, physicians, external agencies and other groups regarding programs and operation of the occupational therapy section.

Preferred Experience: OT lead or supervisory work experience.

References: VA Handbook 5005/127 Part II Appendix G14 Occupational Therapist Qualification Standard.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019