Summary The Occupational Therapist provides skilled occupational therapy services to the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center (OGJ VAMC) and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services(PM&RS) in Nursing and Patient Care Services(N&PCS). The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout the medical center including all clinical and patient care areas involved with the service. Responsibilities The Iron Mountain VA Medical Center (http://www.ironmountain.va.gov/) is located in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan and is part of the VA's Great Lakes Health Care System in the Veteran's Integrated Service Network (VISN 12). The medical center and its 7 community-based clinics serve approximately 20,000 eligible Veterans in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (fifteen counties) and Northeast Wisconsin (nine counties). Clinics are located in Ironwood, Marquette, Hancock, Menominee, Manistique, Sault Saint Marie, MI and Rhinelander, WI. Serves as the Occupational Therapist and is responsible for providing comprehensive evaluation for all Occupational Therapy needs of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PMRS) patients. This may require an: assessment of mentation relative to successful therapy participation, neuromuscular status, respiratory status, and functional capabilities. Major Duties: Determines attainable goals for each patient and designs the initial treatment plan. Modifications are made as the patient progresses and goals are met. Provides occupational therapy to acutely and chronically ill patients requiring ongoing assessment and frequent treatment modifications. Able to perform complex treatment procedures required in the management of adult and geriatric patients. Recommends equipment the patient will need for optimal functioning in their home environment. Attends conferences, workshops, and other continuing education programs to gain insight into therapeutic and motivational patient strategies. Attendees are expected to disseminate this learned information to appropriate staff via report; in-service or case study presentation. Provides formal and informal nursing and support staff education including, but not limited to, proper utilization of ambulation aids, proper wheelchair seating, activities of daily living status, and range of motion. Communicate patient progress and proposed occupational therapy interventions to facilitate that progress via electronic notes, phone, or staff meetings. Assesses patient/family educational needs, abilities, and barriers to learning. From this information, the Occupational Therapist establishes appropriate educational agendas. The therapist instructs the patient and/or caregiver in therapeutic exercises, living environment safety, strategies to enhance AOL status, work simplification, and the appropriate utilization of durable medical equipment or prosthetics and related topics. Visibly demonstrates the ICARE (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence) Core Values in interactions with Veterans, staff, and other stakeholders. Additional duties as assigned by the Supervisory Physical Therapist. Work Schedule: Full Time, Mon-Fri 08:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Suitable Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 08592F,08593F,08594F VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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. Qualifications 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.(1) The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:(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 (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Degree programs may be verified by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.(Documentation required) 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.(Copy required) IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GRADE REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION. GS-9 Grade Requirements: Education, Experience, or Licensure: None beyond the basic requirements. Individuals assigned at the GS-9 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems. The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently. OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists. OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a li
