Summary

This position is located in East Orange in the Occupational Therapy (Outpatient) Section of PM&RS within the VA New Jersey Health Care System. The Occupational Therapist provides evaluation and treatment to address acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction and supports wellness through individualized rehabilitation plans.

Duties

• This position is for an Occupational Therapist (Outpatient) in the Occupational Therapy Section of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) in the VA New Jersey Health Care System
• The Occupational Therapist will have experience in orthopedic and neurological diagnoses and treatments as well as the ability to provide coverage in acute inpatient and telehealth home evaluation settings
• The Occupational Therapist is responsible for performing occupational therapy assessments and treatment interventions - demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application using activity analysis - behavioral interventions - frames of reference - therapeutic procedures
• therapeutic exercise - and physical agent modalities
• Incumbent is responsible for administering and delivering professional and independent occupational therapy services in the assigned area as prescribed or requested by the physician or other approved referring clinician
• At this grade - the incumbent performs at the full performance level
• The duties and responsibilities of this position may be carried out in all program areas throughout the VA New Jersey Health Care System including various clinical - administrative - and patient care areas associated with PM&RS at all campuses - as assigned by the Supervisory Occupational Therapist or their designees and dictated by workload requirements - and in the community as indicated
• Some duties include - but are not limited to: Clinical Provides comprehensive assessment of functional and occupational roles - including underlying physical deficits and psychosocial challenges - using standardized and non-standardized evaluation tools across a broad range of diagnoses
• Selects and provides direct occupational therapy interventions and procedures with varying degrees of complexity - and a wide scope of diagnoses - to enhance safety - wellness - and performance in ADL - instrumental IADL - education - work - play - leisure - and social participation
• Using standardized and non-­standardized evaluation tools - provides comprehensive assessment of occupational roles - environmental - functional - and safety needs in the home environment to ensure accessibility into - out of - and within the home setting through virtual modalities and home visits - as appropriate - and orders necessary and appropriate durable medical equipment - stair glides - chair lifts - ramps - HISA grants - etc
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill to measure - prescribe - and educate Veterans on the use of wheelchairs - scooters - HISA grants - ramps - hospital beds - lifts - durable medical equipment (DME) - assistive devices (AD) - etc
• Educates and trains Veterans and caregivers in fall prevention - home programs - transfer techniques - safe use of DME/AD - and in efficient care for the patient in language that is clear and understandable to those involved
• Procures - fabricates - adjusts - adapts - and modifies orthoses - splints - and adaptive equipment for activities of daily living (inclusive of durable medical equipment)
• Uses physical agent modalities for which competency has been established by the Supervisory Occupational Therapist and/or certification has been obtained per the State of New Jersey Occupational Therapy Advisory Council Statutes
• Performs other related duties as assigned including - but not limited to - Maintaining a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment - safety checks - cleaning - stocking - etc
• Developing safe work habits to prevent injury to patients - co-workers - and self
• Monitoring physical agent modality temperatures
• Administration Adheres to established standards - policies - and procedures set forth by the Section - Service - Facility - VISN and VHA
• Participates in quality assurance review including chart reviews - peer reviews - patient care monitoring - and patient satisfaction surveys as directed by the Supervisory Occupational Therapist
• Maintains personal productivity and assists the section in maintaining/increasing effectiveness and efficiency in meeting its objectives
• Attends departmental meetings - multidisciplinary staff meetings - other meetings effecting patient care - and committee meetings as assigned
• Conducts OT related in-service and clinical training
• 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)
• Performs other functions as required and/or assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 49439-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized