The incumbent serves as a core member of a VISN-level interprofessional group of clinical reviewers-the Centralized Eligibility & Appeals Team (CEAT). CEAT is responsible for reviewing complex Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) eligibility cases for admission, ongoing level of care adjustments, and discharge appropriateness. The CEAT is also responsible for adjudicating PCAFC applicant and participant first- and second-level appeals sent from other VISN CEATs This Occupational Therapy (OT) position is assigned to the Caregiver Support Program, which falls under the VISN 19 Chief Medical Officer (CMO) service line. The occupational therapy incumbent meets and maintains professional core competencies and meets all qualification standards for maintaining licensure and certification. The CEAT Occupational Therapist position requires advanced knowledge and understanding of not only the services and benefits available for caregivers from both federal, state and private sector resources but the statute, regulations, and policy that govern the program. The incumbent must be sensitive to the issues and needs of Veterans and their families, when rendering clinical eligibility determinations, while also ensuring PCAFC applicants and ongoing participants meet the clinical eligibility criteria outlined in CSP PCAFC law and VHA Directives. Collaborative Clinical Decision Making: The Incumbent will review the Veteran's medical record summary, most recent History & Physical, findings of recent testing at the facility, caregiver assessment and care team input. The team member will present their and other OTs respective findings to the interprofessional team. The team will meet and render a multi-disciplinary decision regarding clinical eligibility, based on all eligibility requirements. If deemed eligible, the team will also determine the appropriate level for participation in PCAFC. Role and Responsibility Significance: PCAFC clinical eligibility determinations require a whole health viewpoint, with critical input from multiple professions and disciplines. The role of the Occupational Therapist is significant to the success of a high-performing, high reliability CEAT, as the Occupational Therapist (OT) is trained on not only how to evaluate an individual's physical and mental health abilities that allow them to successfully interact with the environment through various occupations (e.g., self-care, work, and play/leisure activities) but are also trained on how to promote resilience and well-being through creative care solutions and use of adaptive equipment that increase independence, enhance development, and/or prevent further disability and decrease dependency on a caregiver. In addition to the invaluable understanding of the connections between functional status and personal care services for eligibility determinations, OTs are able to contribute to whole health care planning with recommendations, for the Veterans facility healthcare team to consider, that take into account services and resources that enhance Veteran's occupational engagement and performance. Participation in data management for the caregiver support program and its continuous improvement projects are expected of incumbent. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
