Occupational Therapist - Home Based Primary Care

Occupational Therapist - Home Based Primary Care

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Houston, Texas

Salary Range: $102203 - $132870 Per Year

Job Summary: This Occupational Therapist is located within the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program of the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line (RECL) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. This Occupational Therapist will be required to travel to Veteran's homes to provide therapy services as needed.

Major Duties:

• The Occupational Therapist is assigned the responsibilities of planning, developing, and implementing effective evaluation and treatment programs in the delivery of Occupational Therapy services primarily for patients assigned to the Home Based Primary Care Program (HBPC) program. This therapist may also provide Occupational Therapy services, as needed, to patients referred to Occupational Therapy and not enrolled in the home care programs. Duties of the Occupational Therapist may include, but are not limited to: Following referral/consult from a physician or other approved provider, reviews medical records and independently evaluates each patient to determine functional deficits and the best method to accomplish rehabilitation goals. Evaluations include medical history, results and interpretation of appropriate functional tests and measurements such as: range of motion, muscle strength, sensory deficits, coordination, functional mobility, pain scales, etc. Utilizes standard and non-standard methods in the evaluation and interpretation of a wide variety of physical functional levels. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical disabilities or medical conditions. Accurately completes functional assessments using approved outcomes measure. Completes home accessibility and safety assessments. Makes recommendations to improve safety and accessibility as needed. Assesses appropriateness of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and other Activities of Daily Living (ADL) equipment already in the patient's residence. Demonstrate the ability to adjust, adapt, and modify adaptive equipment for activities of daily living. Determines need for additional DME and ADL equipment to appropriately meet the needs of the veteran within the home environment. Consults with physicians, other medical personnel, caregivers, specialists, families and patients to maximize benefit of therapy programming and to provide continuity of care within the home. Practices appropriate infection control procedures, personal safety, patient safety, patient privacy and treatment precautions pertinent to patient's condition or disease process and the location of patient encounter. Follows guidelines and safety measures in completing home visits and associated travel. Initiates prosthetic request for equipment and devices. Initiates recommendations for home improvement and structural alterations program. Procures, fabricates, adjusts, adapts, and modifies orthosis, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living as indicated by patient need. Documents results of evaluations, patient treatment including patient/family education, and patient's response to treatment in accordance with MEDVAMC, RECL, policies and The Joint Commission (TJC) standards. Refers patients for community resources as needed. Interprets results of Occupational Therapy evaluations and treatment outcomes to patients, families, and medical staff. Utilizes appropriate teaching methods and learning principles with creativity and tact, motivates patients to achieve their maximum performance. Serves as a resource person for other staff in regards to Occupational Therapy and the HBPC patient. Attends HBPC interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings, family conferences, and staff meetings as indicated and be able to document participation at IDT meetings. Serves as the RECL liaison for referrals to other programs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (subject to change based on agency need) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-00026-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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. Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph 3b(2) if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph 3e of this appendix. Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. 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. English Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Occupational Therapist, GS-12: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at the GS-11 grade level and directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of occupational therapy principles and techniques consistent with current clinical standards based on OT theory and evidence based practice. Knowledge is inclusive of physical, occupational, cognitive, and psychosocial functional deficits. (b) Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders. (c) Ability to use critical analysis, clinical reasoning, and creativity to independently solve complex problems related to adapting and modifying assessments, treatment plans, activities and procedures to meet the needs of patients. (d) Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment). (e) Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training. 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). Preferred Experience: 1 year experience as an Occupational Therapist, preferably in the home environment. 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. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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 11/13/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12827902. 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: 2025-11-13