Occupational Therapist - Outpatient

Duties may include but are not limited to: CLINICAL Evaluates patients' Occupational Profile, abilities and functional limitations using standardized tools; develops individualized treatment plans based on evaluation findings, OT theory and evidence-based practice; and administers appropriate Occupational Therapy program. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of OT treatment theories and their appropriate application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references and therapeutic procedures. Documents initial plan, interim progress, and final summaries in patient's electronic record in a timely manner.

Re-evaluates and modifies the treatment plan as needed to achieve targeted outcomes. Assesses need for adaptive aides, seating systems, and other major equipment. Formulates individualized prescription for pertinent DME's and trains patients in their use.

Customized devices are fabricated as necessary. Splints are fabricated for patients for corrective, supportive, or protective results. Performs home evaluations for accessibility and makes safety recommendations for structural modifications.

OT assesses patients' functional mobility on public transportation and in community facilities. Provides medical and functional justification to order durable medical equipment or assistive device. In some instances, the Occupational Therapist may have to design/modify and assist in the fabrication of assistive equipment.

Communicates and coordinates with the team and other services on treatment recommendations, DME and other devices. Communicates evaluation results to the patient and the treatment team. Utilizes and modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation techniques and tools.

Evaluations and treatments are provided in a manner which maintains patient dignity and privacy. Treatment will adhere to departmental, VAPAHCS, VHA, AOTA, CARF, The Joint Commission, and other applicable guidelines and will use the best of available modalities and equipment. Occupational therapist recognizes contraindications and appropriateness of prescribed treatment, consults with the primary physician as needed, and frequently assists in referring patients that can benefit from occupational therapy services.

Covers for other occupational therapists during absences in order to provide continuity of patient care. Floats to other areas of the hospital system across all program areas within VHA (outpatient and inpatient) according to the clinical and operational needs of the OT department. Oversees treatment provided by Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) if applicable.

EDUCATIONAL Supervises and trains Occupational Therapy trainees. Assists in development and upgrading of training program content. Provides orientation and training to other health care professionals as requested.

Provides education and training to family members and caregivers regarding patient's functional status, performance of ADLs, and operation and maintenance of equipment. Attends and actively participates in section and program in-services, healthcare system educational offerings, professional conferences and workshops. Shares gained knowledge, improved methods or techniques with other OT staff.

ADMINISTRATIVE Maintains patient attendance records and other required statistics required by department. Completes and maintains record keeping in accordance with PM&R, VAPAHCS, VACO and VHA policies, procedures and guidelines with regard to timeliness. Completes and submits reports as requested.

Shares responsibility for clinic environment and maintenance. Writes work orders as necessary to maintain environment of care. Submits requests for clinic supplies and materials and ensures proper supply levels are maintained for patient treatment.

Makes suggestions for major equipment purchases for department. Develops forms for treatment guidelines, data collection, or patient education. Schedules/organizes patient visits to ensure adequate time for treatment taking into consideration priority and frequency of care and coordinating with other members of the health care team.

Complies with OT stocked prosthetics and logistics equipment process, and maintains inventory levels accordingly. As applicable, Occupational Therapist investigates new technology with emphasis on Occupational Therapist's specialty. Performs other duties or responsibilities as assigned by the Occupational Therapy Supervisor, Rehabilitation Supervisor, or other authorized leadership within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS).

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 08653F, 08654F, 08655F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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 evaluation. 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.

NOTE: 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.

NOTE: Education and/or Experience: 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.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation. Employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) They may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) If an OT who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee 5 will lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. (3) OTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) OTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/28/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12954700. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account.

Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: CV/Resume Resume Transcript Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License CV/Resume Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.

You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.

Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.