Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Salisbury, North Carolina

Salary Range: $89508 - $116362 Per Year

Job Summary: This assignment is in the Occupational Therapy section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS). The duties assigned will include provision of care to the outpatient Veteran population enrolled at the Salisbury HCC in Kernersville. Services involve the provision of high quality, safe rehabilitative treatment to veterans and their caregivers and coordination of care with other pertinent VA services and clinical education/ consultation regarding occupational therapy to staff.

Major Duties:

• TO INLCUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Screening/Evaluation & Re-evaluation- Screening/triaging of OT consults as needed. Accepting and responding to OT consults in compliance with PM&RS and assigned program policies. Evaluating the Veteran's functional, physical, and/ or psycho-social abilities while considering the patient's capacities, the activities, and the environments in which these activities occur. Involving the Veteran and their caregivers in the evaluation process using a patient-centered approach. Delegating specific aspects of the screening, evaluation or re-evaluation process (using specific assessment tools, instruments or observation). Accepting and responding to OT consults in compliance with PM&RS and assigned program policies. Evaluating the Veteran's functional, physical, and/ or psycho-social abilities while considering the patient's capacities, the activities, and the environments in which these activities occur. Following defined protocols when standardized assessments are used. Recommending/entering additional consultations (i.e., to Physical or Recreational Therapy or prosthetic services) when the needs of the Veteran can best be served by the expertise of other professionals or services. Evaluating medical needs for orthotic, prosthetic or other adaptive equipment in accordance with medical center policies and educating the patient & family about safe & correct use. Obtaining clarification for incomplete or unclear orders from the referring provider. The OT may perform home or other off-site environmental assessments when appropriately justified and when training and competency in medical center policies governing home/off-site visits has been completed. Treatment- Reviewing pertinent patient data using the medical record and, as needed, remote data (e.g. VistaWeb, JLV and VHIE). Developing, implementing and communicating the occupational therapy intervention plan based on the evaluation, patient goals, current best evidence and clinical reasoning. Identifying general contraindications to treatment. Scheduling and coordinating treatment with other VA services. Treatment may take place within the home setting or Salisbury VA Medical Center and may be in-person or virtual, while maintaining privacy and confidentiality as appropriate. Providing occupational therapy treatment and caregiver training and education within the appropriate setting as indicated by the plan of care. Functioning autonomously in carrying out patient education, specialized treatments, and applying occupational therapy procedures for which competency has been established and in accordance with laws or regulations and AOTA documents. Modifying the treatment plan, therapeutic activities and interventions based on the changing needs, goals and performance of the patient. Documentation- Accurately documenting OT services in the medical record within the timeframes, formats and standards established by the PM&RS and the Salisbury VA Healthcare System. Entering consults within the PM&RS Service (i.e., to Physical or Recreational Therapy) or to the Prosthetics service for rehabilitation equipment in accordance with competencies, PM&RS and Salisbury VAHCS policies. Reviewing and co-signing notes written by the OTA to whom the OT has delegated patient care. Discharge Planning and Interdisciplinary Coordination- Supervision- Participating in the clinical education of OT and OTA students including supervision of level I and/or II fieldwork and completion of fieldwork evaluation forms. Supervising individuals who are volunteering in an official capacity through the Volunteer Service. The clinical supervision of the OTA in accordance with licensure guidelines. Evidence of supervision is recorded in the medical record including co-signature of notes and, as needed, written addendums, by the supervising OT. The OT is ultimately responsible for all delegated services. Administrative Responsibilities- Maintaining state licensure. Maintaining NBCOT Certification. Maintaining necessary licensure/certifications for matrixed service. Completing all VAMC mandatory training in a timely manner Safety- - Monitoring and reporting health and safety hazards. - Demonstrating knowledge of fire and emergency plans for assigned work area(s). - Demonstrating competence in CPR and infection control procedures. Work Schedule: 8a-4:30p Monday-Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Qualifications: 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. 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: Graduation from a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or predecessor organizations to include an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). The ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 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. Licensure: current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice Occupational Therapy in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. English Language Proficiency: OTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. section 7403f Certification: current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist Assignment: OTs at this level practice independently and are responsible for comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in ADL, instrumental IADL, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. OTs demonstrate a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application through the use of activity analysis, behavioral intervention, frame of references, and therapeutic procedures. They are assigned to all program areas within VHA and provide professional, independent occupational therapy services. OTs at this level may be given assignments in any area where advanced specialized knowledge is not required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area. Individuals may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and amount of work is not substantial (less than 25% of the duty time). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled Preferred Experience: 2 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; use of fingers, both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours); standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability.

How to Apply: 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 03/24/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12910650. 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.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-24