Summary This position will be assigned to the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services (PM&RS) department within the Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS) and serves as an Assistive Technology Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist and is a subject matter expert in assistive technology and provides assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of care and services provided by PM&RS. Responsibilities The Assisted Technology Clinic Specialist Occupational Therapist's primary function is direct patient care. The incumbent has advanced knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice and demonstrates the ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to PM&R staff, students, and other healthcare providers. The Assisted Technology Clinical Specialist is responsible for the screening, assessment, prescription, ordering, assembly, patient training, and delivery of all specialty assisted mobility devices with the goals of timeliness, efficiency, and accuracy. The goal of the prescriptions is to properly fit the patient with a specialty mobility device that enhances their function, minimizes pressure areas, provides mobility, and maintains their comfort and quality of life. This requires that the therapist be familiar with all internal and external processes related to the procurement of prosthetic equipment, including National VA regulations and local policies. He/she can identify problems in the system that hinder the above goals, and work with other departments to resolve obstacles. The incumbent must be familiar with VA benefits and current technology regarding specialty-assisted mobility and be a subject matter expert for other therapists and staff on this topic. This provider is also called upon to make repairs and adjustments to manual and power mobility devices and seating systems as needed (and within scope) to ensure the safety and optimal function of the device for Veterans with changing/progressing conditions. For Veterans with assisted mobility needs, the incumbent is responsible for independently providing occupational therapy assessment and treatment interventions to inpatients and outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals (as applicable). The incumbent interprets findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests, and then integrates findings into the occupational therapy plan of care for the full range of patient populations. This includes using standard and nonstandard methods for evaluating complex cases to identify problems and baseline levels of function, aligning examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes, and/or referring to other medical specialties/services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The incumbent assesses the patient's need for adaptive devices, equipment, or modifications to ensure maximum safety and independence (including, but not limited to, ADL equipment, special seating, custom wheelchair prescription, environment control systems, and architectural barrier assessments). In the provision of care, the incumbent will provide the full range of comprehensive treatment procedures designed to improve or restore function using evidence-based occupational therapy. The incumbent will utilize pertinent developed protocols, recognize any contraindications or precautions, and modify treatment as needed for the patient's changing medical condition(s). Additionally, the incumbent provides patient/caregiver education as part of planned treatment progress regarding utilization of devices, safety, therapeutic exercises, and rehabilitation potential. Documentation of all care will be completed per local directives, guidelines, and Joint Commission standards. The incumbent is responsible for completing all encounters for workload (patient care) following national and local directives and guidelines, including correct CPT and diagnosis code usage. The incumbent will have and maintain their Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification or will become certified as an ATP within one year of accepting the position. He/she will maintain and learn advanced skills in assisted mobility by attending continuing education courses and training when applicable. This will maintain and advance the skill to perform and interpret specialized evaluative procedures and tests in evaluating treatment outcomes in the area of assisted mobility. He/she will perform other tasks as assigned by a supervisor or department chief that are consistent with the mission of the section, care line, and facility. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00AM to 4:30 PM Telework: AD-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 436-60976-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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 trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). 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: 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: 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 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 Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy. 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 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: 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 An additional advanced degree in a related field Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA):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. Preferred Experience: Experience in Assisted Mobility Patient Care Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to walk, to get to other hospital locations on a daily basis, standing, repeated bending, reaching overhead, and pushing Veterans and objects for up to four hours a regular shift, prolonged sitting, moderate lifting and carrying of 15-44 pounds. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. 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.