- Position Title
- OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBSU-12691980-25-MJR Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, February 21, 2025 to Friday, May 23, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
Preferences
1.
Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
Your resume must be submitted in English and include the following information for each job listed:
- Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
- Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
- Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
- Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
- Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
2.
I authorize my application information being shared with hiring managers for similar positions. I understand this option may not result in further consideration for additional positions nor will it impact my application for this announcement.
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Occupational Therapist, GS-0631-09/11/12, position with the Veterans Health Administration. Please select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
English Language Proficiency
Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Are you proficient in spoken and written English?
Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Are you proficient in spoken and written English?
2.
Driving Requirement
This position requires driving a government vehicle and /or transporting veterans. A Valid Driver's License is required for this position.
Do you have a valid driver's license?
This position requires driving a government vehicle and /or transporting veterans. A Valid Driver's License is required for this position.
Do you have a valid driver's license?
2a.
Please provide your Driver's license Information
Name on License:
Issuing state:
Complete license number:
Expiration date:
Name on License:
Issuing state:
Complete license number:
Expiration date:
3.
Education and/or Experience
The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
Which of the following best describes how you meet the Education and/or Experience requirement?
The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below:
- 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.
- 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.
- Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.
- Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license.
Which of the following best describes how you meet the Education and/or Experience requirement?
3a.
Please provide the following information regarding the academic institution(s) from which you received your degree(s).
Name of Institution:
City and State:
Degree & Major/Program:
Month and Year conferred:
Name of Institution:
City and State:
Degree & Major/Program:
Month and Year conferred:
4.
Certification
Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.
OR
Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.
Which of the following best describes how you meet the Certification requirement?
Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.
OR
Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.
- OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program [who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements,] but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure, may be appointed, pending certification and/or licensure, as a graduate OT [on a full-time temporary appointment] not-to exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c).
- Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained. For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed.
- A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
- Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment.
Which of the following best describes how you meet the Certification requirement?
4a.
Please provide your certification information.
Name on Certification:
Issuing state or territory:
Complete certification number:
Valid/Expiration date:
Name on Certification:
Issuing state or territory:
Complete certification number:
Valid/Expiration date:
5.
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.
OR
Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.
Which of the following best describes how you meet the Licensure requirement?
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.
OR
Exceptions for the Graduate Occupational Therapist.
- OT graduates from an approved occupational therapy program [who otherwise meet the minimum qualification requirements,] but who do not possess NBCOT certification and/or state licensure, may be appointed, pending certification and/or licensure, as a graduate OT [on a full-time temporary appointment] not-to exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c).
- Graduate OTs may only be appointed at the GS-9 grade level and may not be promoted/converted to the GS-11 level until licensure and/or certification is obtained. For grades levels at or above the developmental GS-11 grade level, the OT must be certified and licensed.
- A graduate OT may provide care only under the direct supervision of a licensed OT who meets all state regulatory requirements.
- Temporary graduate OT appointments may not be extended beyond two years, or converted to a new temporary appointment.
Which of the following best describes how you meet the Licensure requirement?
5a.
Please provide your license information.
Name on License:
Issuing state or territory:
Complete license number:
Expiration date:
Name on License:
Issuing state or territory:
Complete license number:
Expiration date:
GRADE DETERMINATIONS
6.
Occupational Therapist, GS-11
Education, Experience, or Licensure
Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.
GS-09 Assignment
Individuals assigned at the GS-09 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems. The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently. OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists. OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed OT.
OR
Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field.
OR
Doctorate in occupational therapy.
Which of the following best describes how you meet the Education, Experience, or Licensure requirement?
Education, Experience, or Licensure
Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level and directly related to the position being filled.
GS-09 Assignment
Individuals assigned at the GS-09 grade level serve as OT practitioners in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wide range of human function systems. The entry level therapist has a basic foundation of OT and generally practices independently. OTs at this level typically have guidance from more experienced therapists. OTs that are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed OT.
OR
Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree in occupational therapy or a directly related field.
OR
Doctorate in occupational therapy.
Which of the following best describes how you meet the Education, Experience, or Licensure requirement?
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
7.
Occupational Therapist, GS-11
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
In addition to the [experience or education above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
Do you meet ALL of the KSAs listed above?
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
In addition to the [experience or education above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of occupational therapy practice.
- Ability to administer/interpret evaluation findings to develop and coordinate intervention plans, including goals and methods of treatment.
- Ability to implement intervention plans directly or in collaboration with others.
- Skill in monitoring an individual's response to interventions and modify treatment plans and reevaluating as indicated.
- Ability to communicate and or collaborate with patients, family members, caregivers, interdisciplinary professionals and/or other individuals verbally and in writing.
- Knowledge of health and safety regulations to minimize risk in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
- Knowledge of applicable regulations governing documentation, reimbursement and workload entry in accordance with established professional practice.
Do you meet ALL of the KSAs listed above?
8.
Occupational Therapist, GS-12
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.
GS-11 Assignment
OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools. The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety, wellness, performance in activities of daily living (ADL); and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions. OTs demonstrate an 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.
Do you meet the GS-12 Education, Experience, and Licensure requirement listed above?
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.
GS-11 Assignment
OTs at this grade level practice independently and are responsible for the assessment of functional and occupational roles using standardized tools. The OT modifies standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools. OTs select and provide direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with routine complexity to enhance safety, wellness, performance in activities of daily living (ADL); and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), education, work, play, leisure, and social participation. Occupational therapists require guidance with higher complexity conditions. OTs demonstrate an 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.
Do you meet the GS-12 Education, Experience, and Licensure requirement listed above?
9.
Occupational Therapist, GS-12
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
In addition to the [experience above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
Do you meet ALL of the KSAs listed above?
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
In addition to the [experience above, the candidate] must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- 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.
- Ability to collaborate and communicate orally and in writing with all internal and external stakeholders.
- 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.
- Skill in procuring, fabricating, adjusting, adapting, and modifying orthoses, splints, and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment).
- Ability to conduct OT related in-service and clinical training.
Do you meet ALL of the KSAs listed above?
RESUME REMINDER- Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: - Job title - Duties (be as detailed as possible) - Month and year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) - Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week). This information is used to verify qualifications. Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties and responsibilities you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. Please make sure you submit all required documentation before the closing date of the announcement!
LICENSE AND TRANSCRIPTS- Please provide a copy of your official transcripts and licensure to demonstrate you meet the basic requirements of the position posted.
MILITARY DOCUMENTATION REMINDER- If you are a veteran claiming Veterans Preference you must submit the most recent Member 2 or Member 4 copy of your DD-214. If you are claiming 10 point CP or CPS or XP, you must also submit a copy of your SF-15 and a copy of your Service Connected Disability letter that shows your total percentage rating. Your veteran status cannot be verified without these documents and you will be disqualified for not meeting the area of consideration if you do not provide the documentation.
LICENSE AND TRANSCRIPTS- Please provide a copy of your official transcripts and licensure to demonstrate you meet the basic requirements of the position posted.
MILITARY DOCUMENTATION REMINDER- If you are a veteran claiming Veterans Preference you must submit the most recent Member 2 or Member 4 copy of your DD-214. If you are claiming 10 point CP or CPS or XP, you must also submit a copy of your SF-15 and a copy of your Service Connected Disability letter that shows your total percentage rating. Your veteran status cannot be verified without these documents and you will be disqualified for not meeting the area of consideration if you do not provide the documentation.