Occupational Therapist - Home Based Primary Care

Veterans Health Administration • North Little Rock, AR

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Occupational Therapist independently evaluates, plans, integrates, and implements occupational therapy services for Veterans referred to the HBPC program at the Central Arkansas Veteran Healthcare System. The position is based in North Little Rock, Arkansas, with travel for home visits in Cabot, Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, and Jacksonville, Arkansas.

The Occupational Therapist provides comprehensive evaluations and treatment, identifies functional and home-safety concerns, establishes goals, and develops and modifies treatment plans. The role includes educating caregivers, assessing home accessibility and safety, determining and ordering home medical equipment, training Veterans and caregivers in equipment use, and monitoring safe use. The therapist coordinates with physicians and rehabilitation services, communicates with staff involved in patient care, contributes to program data collection and quality improvement, and supports the operation of the HBPC Occupational Therapy program. The role also includes participation in interdisciplinary and staff meetings, ensuring treatment supplies are available, and completing timely documentation in accordance with departmental, EPRP, and Joint Commission requirements.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and may change based on facility needs. Telework is available, but this is not a virtual position. The work is performed in an office/clinic and home setting. The full performance level is GS-12.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated non-citizen appointment exception.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet at least one specified education/experience pathway: a qualifying bachelor's degree in occupational therapy plus two years of OT 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, except where the stated graduate-OT appointment exception applies.
• A full, current, unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia, except where the stated graduate-OT appointment exception applies.
• For GS-12, one year of experience equivalent to GS-11 directly related to the position; resume must state hours worked per week for experience credit.
• Demonstrate knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards, OT theory, and evidence-based practice, including physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits.
• Demonstrate ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to independently solve complex problems and adapt assessments, treatment plans, activities, and procedures to patient needs.
• Demonstrate skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living, including durable medical equipment.
• Demonstrate ability to conduct OT-related in-service and clinical training.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and be able to independently operate a government vehicle.
• Provide a clean driving record report from the DMV during pre-employment processing.
• Meet background/security investigation and onboarding requirements and provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet the physical requirements, including carrying or moderately lifting 15–44 pounds, use of fingers and both hands, walking for two hours, operating a motor vehicle, specified corrected near and far vision, hearing (hearing aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in geriatrics.
• Home health experience.
• Interdisciplinary team experience.

Responsibilities

• Independently evaluate and treat Veterans referred to HBPC for occupational therapy services.
• Perform comprehensive initial evaluations and identify functional and home-safety problems.
• Establish treatment goals and develop, implement, and modify treatment programs to meet them.
• Evaluate patient responses to treatment and adjust plans to achieve optimum therapeutic effects.
• Teach caregivers techniques for assisting Veterans with functional mobility, including transfers and ambulation.
• Conduct follow-up assessments of patients admitted to HBPC as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the team physician and consult with other rehabilitation services.
• Perform home-safety assessments and identify structural modifications needed to make homes safe and accessible.
• Determine home medical equipment needs, order equipment, justify special requests, teach Veterans and caregivers safe use, and monitor equipment use.
• Report home medical equipment problems to the Prosthetics Department.
• Maintain regular written, telephone, and in-person contact with other staff involved in patient care at the medical center and VISN level.
• Collect and report HBPC program data in a timely manner as requested by the HBPC Program Director.
• Participate in HBPC quality assurance and performance improvement activities.
• Coordinate the efficient operation and function of the HBPC Occupational Therapy program.
• Ensure appropriate supplies are available for patient treatments.
• Participate in HBPC service staff meetings and serve in a leadership role when required.
• Represent Occupational Therapy in HBPC interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Complete required documentation promptly and meet departmental, EPRP, and Joint Commission requirements.
• Maintain timely data input using care plans, initial assessments, and specialty protocols in coordination with interdisciplinary staff.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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