Occupational Therapist - Safe Patient Handling Program Manager

Summary

The Occupational Therapist, Program Coordinator executes leadership characterized by managing the Safe Patient Handling Program based on the requirements of VHA Directive 1611, covering all medical facilities and clinics within the Sheridan healthcare system. This is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for the program, which crosses the lines of all services and disciplines that influence the organizational healthcare mission.

Duties

Participates in planning, design, & construction phases of all projects so that all projects in spaces Veterans use. Completes, leads, and updates ergonomic assessments to implement appropriate SPHM technology to prevent hazards identified across all areas that provide patient care. Performs comprehensive rounding throughout the VA medical facility using the SPHM template within the Performance Logic Application to monitor facility performance measures. Investigates employee & patient safety & health incidents related to patient handling, providing recommendations & tracking these injuries by unit, area, hospital-wide, & across the continuum, in collaboration with the worker's compensation program personnel, facility safety, OSHA record keeper, & facility patient safety manager. Ensures that patients are screened before mobilization & that methods chosen for mobility are safe, effective, & appropriate for individual needs across the continuum of care. Selects & coordinates the acquisition of SPHM-related equipment & supplies with appropriate stakeholders within the healthcare system across the continuum. Establishes & maintains highly effective relationships at all levels of the organization, working in collaboration with VA medical facility stakeholders on resource availability for programmatic support. This collaborative approach ensures that the SPHM Program Coordinator evaluates SPHM staffing methodology/equivalency needs by submitting annually to the National SPHM Program Office. Provides expertise to all individuals & workgroups that handle & mobilize patients or provide or approve patient equipment. This collaboration with the SPHM Program Coordinator ensures that everyone feels confident & competent in their role in program sustainment. Monitors VA medical facility compliance with Directive 1611 & initiates appropriate corrective action if non-compliance is identified. As determined by the facility director, report to the VA medical facility committee at least twice yearly. Establishes procedures delineating local responsibilities related to local VA medical facility SPHM program alignment, implementation, & sustainment. Makes decisions that affect staff & other resources with a wide latitude of control. Uses independent judgment to evaluate, plan, & direct the SPHM program to ensure proper coordination of care with the local facility inclusive of regional/national stakeholders such as The Joint Commission, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), & the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations as appropriate. Communicates with transparency, clarity, & integrity while providing opportunities & resources for the VA facility to schedule, providing employees with SPHM education & training, & maintaining competence for all personnel directly involved with handling & mobility of Veterans. Completes initial & ongoing education, hands-on practice, & competency assessment to manage the VA medical facility SPHM program. This education & competency assessment may include VA facility-funded site visits or in-person conferences to acquire hands-on SPHM handling & mobility skills. Ensures a process is in place for new VA medical facility employees to participate in SPHM orientation. Ensures VHA employees receive ongoing education or competency/proficiency evaluation to maintain competence in their roles and responsibilities. Leads & mentors SPHM unit/service peer leaders on all shifts in all areas that provide patient care to train staff and recognize hazards at the unit or service level. Trains SPHM peer leaders at least once per year, providing training resources & references & periodic opportunities for interaction. Translates evidence into practice throughout the organization. Collaborates with all services throughout the continuum as appropriate to lead, coordinate, & monitor a comprehensive SPHM program that meets the performance criteria. Sustains relationships at the levels to advance SPHM strategic action plans. Advances one's knowledge through the continual application of evidence ­based research. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 - 4:00pm (some evening hours for training may be required) Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 61477-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Requirements

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. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications and evaluation

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Education

Note: ACOTE is the only accreditation agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Degree programs may be verified by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Association website or at their office address: American Occupational Therapy Association, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220.

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 09/08/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13048966. 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.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: License Professional Certification Resume Transcript Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) Professional Certification Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for 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.