Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Columbus, Georgia

Salary Range: $55328 - $71932 Per Year

Job Summary: The Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) staff position is in the Occupational Therapy Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) in the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care Systems (CAVHCS). The licensed COTA provides treatment that promotes the function, prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical, cognitive, and psychosocial dysfunction under the direction of the Occupational Therapist.

Major Duties:

• Duties include, however, not limited to: Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from the occupational therapist or physician. Plans and implements specialized treatment programs and apply occupational therapy procedures to patients under the general supervision of an occupational therapist. Carries out or may oversee the work of lower graded assistants or support staff, students, and volunteers. Completes a preliminary review/examination of patient data (including medical history), compiles and organizes pertinent information, and develops/presents a patient profile to be used in assessing patient's status. Assists with or renders a course of treatment based on the assessed needs of the patient, developing progressive types of occupational therapy treatment programs. Assists the occupational therapist in development and implementation of a comprehensive specialized treatment plan that includes long- and short-term goals. Persuades and motivates veterans and family members to participate in treatment plans and comply with indicated regimen and post-discharge activities. Interacts with the patients and family regarding goals for treatment. Assists in the performance of, or independently performs, highly specialized and diversified treatment procedures within the OTA Practice Act. Instructs, motivates, and assist patients to learn activities of daily living, and instrumental activities of daily living, to improve the functional performance and safety of these activities. Utilizes the full range of modalities including heat, cold, and sound demonstrate competence. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60203F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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: Citizenship. [Be a] citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with[38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).] Education. [Individuals must meet at least one of the requirements below:] Associate's [or higher] degree in occupational therapy from a college or university accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association(AOTA). Completion of a military training program in an OTA program accredited by the ACOTE. Certification. OTAs must have written documentation that they have passed the entry-level certification examination for OTAs administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Licensure. OTAs must hold a full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a State, Territory, a Commonwealth of the United States (i.e. Puerto Rico) or in the District of Columbia. Exceptions for Non-Certified or Non-Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant. OTAs who graduated from an ACOTE approved occupational therapy assistant program but do not possess the NBCOT certification and/or licensure requirements, may be appointed, pending licensure and/or NBCOT certification, on a full-time temporary appointment under the authority of38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(B) and not to exceed two years in accordance with the timeframe in 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c) OTAs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until licensure and/or certification are obtained. OTAs may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OTA or OT who meets all state regulatory requirements. Temporary OTA appointments may not be extended beyond two years. English Language Proficiency. OTA candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English [in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Occupational Therapy Assistant, GS-08 Experience. One year of creditable experience comparable to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to implement delegated assessments. Ability to provide reports of observations and patient performance. Ability to use complex therapeutic techniques and interventions, utilizing problem-solving skills to maximize patient's functional status. Ability to modify therapeutic interventions for simple and complex cases with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. Ability to recommend complex adaptive and assistive devices and durable medical equipment. Ability to consult with health care practitioners about the patient's treatment plan and the occupational therapy scope of practice and services. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as a full performance level OTA. OTAs at this level receive minimum guidance from the OT and seek guidance for more complex patients and specialized treatment procedures. They contribute to the screening, evaluation and re-evaluation process by administering delegated assessments and reporting observations and patient performance to the OT. OTAs plan, coordinate and administer occupational therapy treatment for prevention, remediation and rehabilitation of diverse diagnoses in all practice areas to both individuals and groups as well as develop and implement new programs. They recommend and modify assistive devices and instruct patients on their care and use to ensure optimal performance. OTAs independently provide patient education on areas of occupation, assistive devices and orthotics based on patient's and families' level of cognition, cultural and/or behavioral variables. OTAs collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to make recommendations for the patient's rehabilitation, reintegration and disposition needs. They develop, participate in and ensure compliance with quality improvement activities through participation in medical center/section committees as delegated. 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 01/20/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12845357. 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: 2026-01-20