Occupational Therapist - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

About the role

A relocation/recruitment incentive may be approved for highly qualified candidates. The incumbent provides comprehensive Occupational Therapy care to inpatient and outpatient veterans and cross coverage as needed.

The incumbent is responsible for completing complex evaluation and treatments applying advanced evaluation methodologies and treatment theories in the provision of care to Veterans with a wide variety of functional impairments

What you will do

• Plans, coordinates, and carries out Occupational Therapy evaluations and interventions for referred veterans to restore function, compensate for dysfunction and improve quality of life and independence.
• The treatment program may include use of physical agent modalities if the clinician has obtained proper certification.
• Evaluates the Veteran's needs for assistive devices, and adaptive appliances, recommends adjustments for prosthetic/orthotic devices and makes minor adjustments to obtain maximal functional benefits.
• The therapist may fabricate orthotic devices and may make modifications on a wide range of orthoses.
• Receives veteran referrals from appropriate source and assures that veterans are scheduled for evaluation and treatment in a timely fashion.
• Provides Direct Access Evaluations in outpatient setting and ensures veterans are scheduled for follow-up care in a timely fashion.
• Reviews charts to assess appropriateness of the referrals and possible contraindications for treatment.
• Schedules veterans for treatment, considering priority and frequency of care and coordinating schedules with other members of the treatment team.
• Flexibility of schedule must be maintained to allow for unscheduled Veterans and for family conferences.
• Assures all documentation is done in a timely manner as per documentation policy for all veteran visits.
• Functions on a multidisciplinary team, representing the Rehabilitation Department by communicating directly with team members such as Veteran's physician and nursing personnel, social worker, dietitian, psychologist and other Rehabilitation disciplines involved with the veteran's care.
• Advises and instructs medical center staff regarding care of veteran's needs and progress; also providing discharge planning information.
• Continues to maintain and learn advanced skills in this area by attending continuing education courses and training when applicable.
• Always utilizes equipment appropriately and ensures safe operation.
• Responds appropriately to emergency situations; demonstrates compliance with fire, disaster, and infection control policies.
• Participates in developing departmental protocols, policies, and teaching materials.
• Perform set-up and pre-cleaning for all reusable medical equipment per policy.
• Under the direction of the supervisor, assumes the responsibility for caseload coverage and continuity of care.
• Identifies current and potential problems with participation in formulation of a plan for resolution.
• Assists other therapists in modifying and adapting treatment plans for patient specialty populations.
• Acts as a resource and reliable role model to other staff members and students in areas of expertise.
• Provides direct supervision and teaching of students, volunteers, therapy assistants, and health technicians/aides.
• Assumes the responsibility for orienting new staff as assigned.
• Delegates care appropriately.
• Conducts educational in-services to interdisciplinary health care providers as needed/requested and when possible, staffing permits.
• Serves as a resource person on task forces for process improvement when appropriate.
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (7:30am-4:00pm, 8:00am-4:30pm, or 08:30am-5:00pm), PRN weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Candidates hired as Graduate Occupational Therapist are not eligible.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT.
• Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until position is closed, cancelled, or filled.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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.
• 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. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Documents you must provide

• To complete your application, please use the following link *** to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
• 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 License RECOMMENDED: Write to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) on a separate document - KSAs are found under qualification/grade requirements in the announcement.
• Resume/CV exceeding two-page.
• Professional Certification Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

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

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.