Occupational Therapist Clinical Specialist-Mental Health

About the role

This position is located in the Salt Lake City PM&R service and provides Occupational Therapy services as a subject matter expert in the specialty area of Mental Health. SLC VA Medical Center is an A-1 facility complexity.

This therapist serves as SME, is able to serve as consultant to occupational therapy and the medical center staff in this specialty area as well as the general current practice of occupational therapy as indicated by service needs across all clinical area.

What you will do

• Serves as a subject matter expert to physicians, residents, staff, and other health care specialists on OT-specific mental health matters.
• Makes self available to providers throughout SLC VAMC, including primary care providers, orthopedic surgery, neurology, rehabilitation, spinal cord injury providers, social work, mental health, and emergency department providers.
• Receives patient caseload through referrals from varied providers.
• Evaluations use standard and non-standard methods to assess range of motion, strength, sensation, proprioception, psychosocial factors, coordination, perception, cognition, ADLs and work activities, orthotic and prosthetic needs, and the need for adaptive equipment.
• Evaluations consider lifestyle, culture, social support system, military, work, and leisure history, and age-related limitations and abilities.
• Based on evaluations, planning with the patient and significant others (when appropriate), and coordination with the multidisciplinary team, establishes treatment goals and the eventual discharge plan.
• Develops and carries out occupational therapy plans with individuals to meet individual rehabilitation objectives.
• Implements an occupational therapy treatment plan to meet individual rehabilitation objectives utilizing functional activities which have as their goal the improvement of patient's activities of daily living, strength, range of motion, sensation, perceptive and/or cognitive process, and may also include therapeutic exercise, muscle reeducation, neuromuscular facilitation, perceptual motor integration, recreational activities, fabrication and application of devices for daily living, teaching adaptive or compensatory techniques for community re-entry and work activities, and providing patient and/or caregiver education regarding disability.
• The position includes inpatient, outpatient, community, & home rehabilitation therapy as indicated by service needs, including general assessment and treatment for veterans with physical dysfunction and neurological and orthopedic diagnoses; planning &carrying out rehabilitation related to therapy; providing direct assistance with treatment; & providing discharge planning.
• This assignment represents the therapy aspect of an interdisciplinary team.
• Re-evaluates patient's performance & modifies treatment as indicated.
• Regularly presents patient information to health care providers regarding treatment outcomes, status, & expectations.
• Communication is timely and follows department policies.
• Evaluates patient's living situation through home visits in-person, VVC, patient and family interviews, or consultation with other health care professionals as indicated.
• Helps the patient solve problems associated with that environment.
• Participates regularly in multidisciplinary care planning meetings as needed.
• Manages more complex cases; effectively & independently develops, implements, & modifies the OT treatment plan.
• Initiates ordering, delivery, & training in the use of patient-specific adaptive equipment in a timely, efficient, & accurate manner, using processes related to the procurement of prosthetic equipment.
• Carries a full patient caseload & accepts new consults.
• Treatment intervention directly affects a patient's social, emotional, and functional well-being.
• Assignments may include acute care medical & surgical cases, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatients, & home and/or community settings.
• Documents initial evaluations, progress, & discharge planning in a timely, concise manner, per section documentation &consult management requirements.
• Is aware of signs & symptoms of abuse or neglect & reports to the appropriate authority.
• Complies with requirements to maintain prosthetic equipment supplies, providing necessary documentation of equipment provided to patients & obtaining stock replacement of equipment issued.
• Considers age & developmental level, gender, education, cultural background, & socioeconomic, medical, & functional status when providing OT services.
• Is aware of signs & symptoms of abuse or neglect & reports to the appropriate authorities.
• Therapy services will be provided to an adult-to-geriatric population of patients.
• Is aware of the indications, contraindications, & precautions in working with various neurological disorders, physical disabilities, & mental health patients, based on area of assignment.
• Completes treatment sessions according to safety procedures & the Practice Act.
• Practices infection control per policy.
• Complies with hospital policies & procedures, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) requirements, &Joint Commission requirements.
• Assists the Supervisor in implementing within clinical documentation.
• Work Schedule: T-F; M-F 7:30am-5:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 615820 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (***).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Other (2) Other (3) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.