Occupational Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Grand Junction, CO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Occupational Therapist works in the Occupational Therapy Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Western Colorado Health Care System. The role provides direct occupational therapy care and case management for patients receiving inpatient and outpatient services, including home safety evaluations. The therapist participates in interdisciplinary outpatient care coordination, coordinates PM&R-focused in-service training, helps coordinate staffing based on outpatient census, and serves as a subject matter expert and mentor for outpatient occupational therapy services.

The therapist reviews patient records and completes comprehensive evaluations that may include medical history and functional testing of range of motion, muscle strength, sensory and perceptual abilities, coordination, mobility, pain, and social needs. Evaluation findings guide individualized treatment plans with measurable goals and timelines. The therapist uses clinical reasoning to adapt assessments and interventions, monitors patient responses, modifies plans as needed, recognizes and responds to adverse reactions, and coordinates referrals and discharges. Home safety evaluations involve travel to patients’ homes using a government-furnished vehicle.

Administrative and professional duties include contributing to performance improvement, reviewing current literature and research, attending continuing education, consulting with staff and physicians, supporting continuity of PM&R care, reporting concerns about veteran care, and assisting with treatment program development. The position also requires clear communication with patients, families, coworkers, physicians, and the public, and appropriate handling of complaints and interpersonal conflicts.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ad hoc telework may be approved; this is not a virtual position. The position’s full performance level is GS-12, and selection may be at GS-9 through GS-12.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable law.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet at least one basic education or experience pathway: a qualifying bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy plus two years of occupational therapist experience; a qualifying bachelor’s degree plus two full years of graduate education in a related field; or a master’s degree or higher in occupational therapy.
• Current NBCOT certification as an occupational therapist, subject to the stated graduate occupational therapist appointment exception.
• A full, current, and unrestricted state occupational therapy license, subject to the stated graduate occupational therapist appointment exception.
• For GS-11: one year of directly related experience equivalent to GS-09, three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field, or a doctorate in occupational therapy, and the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-12: one year of directly related experience equivalent to GS-11 and the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Knowledge of occupational therapy practice, evaluation, treatment planning, intervention, monitoring and modifying treatment, safety regulations, and applicable documentation, reimbursement, and workload-entry regulations, as applicable to grade.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate verbally and in writing with patients, families, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to adapt assessments, treatment plans, activities, and procedures to patient needs.
• Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living, including durable medical equipment, for GS-12.
• Ability to conduct occupational therapy-related in-service and clinical training for GS-12.
• Frequent bending and lifting, ability to assist patients with therapeutic activities, ability to lift 50 pounds to chest height, and ability to maintain good body mechanics.
• Complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding, provide acceptable identification, meet application requirements, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period as specified for the appointment.

Nice To Haves

• Outpatient and inpatient occupational therapy experience.
• Hand therapy experience.
• Driver rehabilitation experience.
• Wheelchair experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct occupational therapy care and case management for inpatient and outpatient patients, including home safety evaluations.
• Participate in the interdisciplinary outpatient care coordination team.
• Coordinate PM&R-focused in-service training opportunities and additional staffing based on outpatient census.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in outpatient occupational therapy and mentor other staff as appropriate.
• Travel to patients’ homes to perform home safety evaluations using a government-furnished vehicle.
• Review patient medical records and conduct comprehensive evaluations, including appropriate functional tests and measurements.
• Develop and implement treatment plans with objective, measurable goals and timelines; adapt assessments and interventions to patients’ needs and responses.
• Recognize adverse reactions to treatment and take effective action immediately.
• Coordinate appropriate patient referrals and discharges.
• Update the FIM/FSOD database when covering CLC and monitor and update MDS requirements.
• Contribute to occupational therapy knowledge and techniques, performance improvement activities, and the development or refinement of treatment programs.
• Review literature and research, pursue continuing education, and consult with staff and physicians through patient presentations, conferences, and specialty clinics.
• Support the PM&R Supervisor as a liaison, advocate for appropriate patient care, and assist with monitoring continuity of care.
• Report concerns about veteran care through appropriate channels.
• Communicate clearly with patients, families, staff, physicians, and the public; investigate and respond appropriately to complaints and interpersonal or professional conflicts.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and are described as including access to benefits for the employee and family.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level