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This position serves as an occupational therapist within the Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery Services (ICMHRS) which is under the VA Northern California Health Care System (NCHCS) Mental Health Service at the VA NCHCS. The incumbent functions in accordance with the policies, principals, professional ethics and techniques of accepted occupational therapy practice including the American Occupational Therapy Association, professional licensing code, and state law. 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: (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 Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy 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. Exception for Graduate Occupational Therapist. OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements, but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure, may be appointed, pending certification and/or licensure, as a graduate OT on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2). English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Preferred Experience: Certification in hand therapy (CHT) or a state license advanced practice certification in hand therapy and/or physical agent modalities is preferred but not required. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-9: Education, Experience, or Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-11: Education, Experience, or Licensure. (a) Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level and directly related to the position being filled; or (b) Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field; or (c) Doctorate in occupational therapy. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy practice. (b) Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment. (c) Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others. (d) Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated. (e) Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing. (f) Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. (g) Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice. GS-12 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. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence based practice. Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits. (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. (c) 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. (d) Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment). (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, APPENDIX G14. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0631, dated December 13, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Per VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - a physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required. ["Clinical Responsibilities (100%) - Independently provides specialized occupational therapy services at all levels of complexity for Veterans with SMI, with service delivery to include assessment, Veteran education, and needed intervention in the community (at home or various public locations). - Independently utilizes a wide variety of comprehensive evaluations using standard and non-standardized evaluation tools to assess a Veteran's function in areas including, but not limited to, mobility, perception, cognition, interpersonal skills, computer skills, time management, and activities of daily living. Evaluations take into account the Veteran's age, lifestyle, culture, supports, living conditions, comorbidities, and history. Evaluations are conducted in community settings such as Veterans homes. Demonstrates full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. - Collaborates with other team members, the Veteran, and significant others (when appropriate and allowed) to establish treatment goals and strategies based on the evaluation. Identifies needs outside the scope of occupational therapy and makes recommendations for appropriate referrals. - Develops and carries out Veteran recovery plans, with a focus on integration into the community of the Veteran's choice. Interventions may address activities of daily living, community and household activities, remedial computer skills, strengthening community hardiness, and using public transportation, among others. When appropriate, utilizes advanced and specialized interventions such as sensory modulation techniques and environmental modifications to impact psychiatric function. - Develops and provides psychoeducational and skill-building to Veterans with SMI, provides wellness and prevention education, and facilitates Veteran and family support as appropriate. - Works assertively and consistently with inpatient and other behavioral health teams to assure continuity of care by providing consultation regarding clinical needs, plans of care, and care management for Veterans enrolled in ICMHRS - Submits timely, accurate documentation (assessments, recovery plans, progress notes, transition plans, discharge summaries, etc.) and submits forms to the Northeast Program Evaluation Center in a timely manner. - Participates in ICMHRS interdisciplinary team meetings and carries out agreed-upon actions. - Maintains best and current practice for working with persons with SMI through participating in discussions at the local and national levels and participating in relevant educational offerings. - Assists in the design and development of psychosocial rehabilitation services for the ICMHRS consistent with the standards, scope, and ethics of the practices of occupational therapy, policies and procedures, and evidence-based and best practices in psychosocial rehabilitation. - Networks and provides outreach to community organizations to increase community integration opportunities for Veterans. - OTs at this level may be given assignments in any area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area. - Serves as Mental Health Treatment Coordinator for Veterans in ICMHRS Specific duties of this position in ICMHRS include: 1) Respond to consults sent to the ICMHRS program by interviewing the Veteran, utilizing questionnaires and other measurement devices while assessing the Veteran's emotional, functional, and psychological condition. Presents the findings to the ICMHRS team to determine rejection or acceptance into the ICMHRS program. 2) Function as case manager for Veterans in the ICMHRS program to facilitate independent community living by coordinating mental health and community care. 3) Collaborate with members of the ICMHRS team and other professional specialty clinics to provide comprehensive care to ICMHRS Veterans. 4) Identify develop and facilitate accessibility and utilization of VA and community resources to meet the needs of ICMHRS Veterans. 5) Collaborate with nurse case manager for medication management for ICMHRS Veterans. 6) Conduct visits via various delivery modes that include community visits and telehealth. 7) Collaborate with Adult Boarding Care homes where ICMHRS Veterans reside to facilitate community living in the least restrictive environment and to provide support services for the homes. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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