Occupational Therapy Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Fredericksburg, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), GS-8, is assigned to the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service at the Fredericksburg HCC campus of the Central Virginia VA Health Care System. Under the oversight of a licensed occupational therapist, the COTA provides occupational therapy services and patient education across program areas covered by PM&R. The role applies occupational therapy principles, techniques, and evidence-based practices to patients with physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits. The COTA carries out interventions under established plans of care and performs specified aspects of patient evaluations and interventions using advanced treatment, data-collection, and assessment techniques.

The position also includes responsibility for equipment care and sanitation, maintaining safe and efficient clinical and administrative spaces, assessing departmental equipment and supply needs, and scheduling patients according to care priority and frequency. The COTA coordinates schedules with the treatment team and maintains flexibility for unscheduled patients and unforeseen circumstances. The position provides guidance and support to coworkers, students, and volunteers and may delegate appropriate duties to support staff.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. The position is based at the Fredericksburg HCC campus. The full performance level is GS-8.

Requirements

• Meet one of the education requirements: an associate's or higher degree in occupational therapy from an ACOTE-accredited college or university, or completion of an ACOTE-accredited military OTA training program.
• Have written documentation of passing the NBCOT entry-level certification examination for occupational therapy assistants.
• Hold a full, current, unrestricted state or U.S. territory license to practice occupational therapy, including a license from the District of Columbia.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Have one year of creditable experience comparable to the GS-7 level.
• Demonstrate the ability to implement delegated assessments and report observations and patient performance.
• Demonstrate the ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, applying problem-solving skills to maximize patient functional status.
• Demonstrate the ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases across a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities.
• Demonstrate the ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment.
• Demonstrate the ability to consult with healthcare practitioners about patient treatment plans and occupational therapy scope of practice and services.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Meet background/security investigation and onboarding requirements, provide acceptable employment-identification documents, and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.
• Meet the physical requirements, including regular standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking; moderate to heavy lifting of 45 pounds or greater is often required; sitting for documentation; visual acuity; and mental and emotional stability.

Nice To Haves

• Outpatient or orthopedic experience involving the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy services and patient education under the oversight of a licensed occupational therapist.
• Carry out varied occupational therapy interventions according to established plans of care and administer evidence-based occupational therapy procedures.
• Use advanced treatment techniques to address changes in patients’ physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits.
• Perform specified aspects of patient evaluations and interventions using occupational therapy data-collection and assessment techniques.
• Maintain, care for, and sanitize equipment in the assigned work environment.
• Organize and maintain clinical and administrative spaces to support safety, infection control, and efficiency.
• Assess departmental equipment needs and maintain adequate stocks of supplies and materials.
• Schedule patients according to priority and frequency of care, coordinate schedules with other treatment-team members, and remain flexible for unscheduled patients and unforeseen circumstances.
• Provide guidance and support to coworkers, students, and volunteers.
• Delegate duties to other support staff as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package, with benefits available to the employee and family; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree