Summary Occupational therapist Registered (OTR) serves as subject matter expert in the area of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and as a role model for other occupational therapy staff in evaluation and treatment of patients in this specialty area. Incumbent is expected to supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA), Occupational Therapy Students {OTS) and volunteers when applicable and depending on assignment. Responsibilities Occupational Therapy services to adult and geriatric patients referred from all areas of the medical center; and spends at least 80% of his/her time working in the Occupational Therapy Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. Incumbent is expected to supervise Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA), Occupational Therapy Students {OTS) and volunteers when applicable and depending on assignment. Position is located in the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System. Duties listed but not limited to: Incumbent plans and carries out a full range of treatments where therapeutic objectives are complex and procedures involved require the application of highly specialized skills and advanced knowledge, particularly as related to physical disability patients, and especially to Cardiac Rehabilitation Program which includes interventions at Phase I - Acute, Phase II -Subacute/outpatient and Phase Ill - Outpatient. Cardiac rehabilitation treatment plans require frequent modification in response to subtle but significant changes in the condition of the patient. Incumbent has had specialized training in Cardiac Rehabilitation management and demonstrates expertise in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating treatment programs for cardiac geriatric and adult patients with acute, sub-acute and chronic physical conditions. Integral part of an interdisciplinary team, incumbent contributes to the evaluation, assessment and treatment for cardiopulmonary disease and procedures which may include: CABG, Aortic or Mitra I valve replacements, Angioplasty, CHF, COPD, PVD. Incumbent's advanced specialized evaluations include a medical history and results and interpretation of the appropriate tests and measurements performed. Tests are frequently complex and may need to be adapted because of multiple physical and emotional disabilities or present cardiac conditions. Incumbent demonstrates a full professional and current understanding of the theories of Occupational Therapy treatment and their proper application, particularly those specialized techniques related to cardiac rehabilitation treatment management. Has the ability to develop cardiac rehabilitation protocols and advanced intervention procedures for patients at all phases during the cardiac rehabilitation program, based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Incumbent recognizes even subtle responses or adverse reactions to cardiac rehabilitation treatment, initiates effective action immediately, and advises other health care team members as indicated. Continuously monitors patient's cardiopulmonary response to treatment and takes proper action according to findings. Incumbent assesses patient's learning needs, and plans and implements appropriate patient education programs, involving the patient, family, and significant others h the instructional process. Serves as a consultant for peers, co-workers and other health care providers regarding the delivery of care and scope within occupational therapy practice, specifically related to specialized area of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. Conducts home visits as applicable. Consider architectural, attitudinal, communication, employment and any other barrier affecting outcomes. Incumbent exercises the highest degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and carrying out cardiac rehabilitation treatment programs to meet complex treatment objectives for this population. Incumbent has an active relationship with Cardiac Rehabilitation Interdisciplinary Team to include open communication, participation h case discussions and review of program outcome measurements. Incumbent may initiate, lead and support research projects related to the Occupational Therapy practice, specifically those related to Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. Ensures compliance with all documentation and program requirements from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation to maintain current accreditation. As part of the interdisciplinary team actively participates in the MCVPR accreditation process for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program h the VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, may include weekends & holidays, and may also be required to work various rotating shifts. Telework: Available - Per Agency policy and Service Approval on an Ad hoc basis. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS-61819F-OccupationaI Therapist Clinical Specialist/ Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Proficiency: Candidate must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education and/or Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:(1) 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 (2) 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 (3) 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. Certification-Submitted Documentation: Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT. State Licensure-Submitted Documentation: Candidate 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. Grade Determinations:GS-13 - Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist): Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the [GS-12 grade] level and directly related to the position being filled [and one of the following: A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years; Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA; Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or An additional advanced degree in a related field. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners. Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization. Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice. Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization. Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization. Assignment. Clinical OT specialists at this grade level serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. This individual must demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highlycomplex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Clinical OT specialist may initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research. Preferred Experience: Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Reference: Occupational Therapist Qualification Standards per VA Handbook 5005/127, Part II, Appendix G14, dated December 13, 2019. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds or over); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pushing (.5 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (.5 hours); standing (.5 hours); crawling (.5 hours); kneeling (.5 hours); repeated bending (1 hour); climbing, legs only (.5 hours); climbing, use of legs and arms; operation of crane, truck, tractor or motor vehicle; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement (corrective lenses okay); both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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/. Additional Information 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.