Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

Veterans Health Administration•East Orange, NJ

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Occupational Therapy Clinical Specialist-Hand Therapy position is located at the East Orange VAMC. The role serves as a subject matter expert in upper extremity specialty practice and as a consultant to occupational therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients whose needs extend beyond general occupational therapy practice. The specialist provides care to a patient population with varying degrees of highly complex occupational upper extremity dysfunction and offers professional oversight to staff therapists, monitoring and evaluating clinically appropriate treatment programs with substantial autonomy. The specialist consults with physicians and surgeons, including those in Primary Care, Physical Medicine, Plastics, and Orthopedics, and advises providers and other health care professionals throughout the VA New Jersey HealthCare System, particularly in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Plastic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and the Emergency Department. The primary responsibility is the Occupational Therapy hand program, which makes up more than 50% of the assignment. The role also provides coverage for the general Occupational Therapy population based on clinical experience. The position is full-time, with a Monday through Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-13. Occupational Therapy is classified as medium work, involving exertion of 20–50 pounds occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Requirements

Meet the occupational therapy education and experience eligibility requirement through one of the stated pathways: a qualifying bachelor's degree in occupational therapy plus two years of occupational therapist experience; a qualifying bachelor's degree plus two full years of graduate education in a related field; or a master's degree or higher in occupational therapy.
Graduate from an occupational therapy degree program approved by ACOTE or a predecessor organization, including required supervised fieldwork.
Hold current NBCOT certification as an occupational therapist.
Hold a full, current, unrestricted state or territorial occupational therapy license, or a license in the District of Columbia.
For the GS-13 clinical specialist grade, have one year of experience equivalent to at least GS-12 and directly related to the position, plus one of the specified advanced-practice qualifications: at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the advanced practice area within the past five years; an AOTA-recognized certification; completion of a fellowship, residency, or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area; or an additional advanced degree in a related field.
Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple practice areas.
Demonstrate ability to provide clinical guidance to other occupational therapy practitioners in the advanced practice area.
Demonstrate knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions, and services to independently develop treatment strategies in the specialty area.
Demonstrate skill in developing intervention protocols and procedures based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice.
Demonstrate ability to consult with health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice in the specialty area.
Demonstrate ability to implement and update evidence-based occupational therapy services and programming in the specialty area.
Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible.
Be proficient in written and spoken English.
Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete the required online onboarding and application documentation.
Participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Meet the position's physical requirements for medium work.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

Certification in Hand Therapy.

Responsibilities

Serve as a subject matter expert in hand therapy and upper extremity occupational therapy practice.
Evaluate and treat patients with highly complex occupational upper extremity dysfunction.
Provide consultation to physicians and surgeons, including providers in Primary Care, Physical Medicine, Plastics, and Orthopedics.
Provide professional oversight for staff therapists by monitoring and evaluating clinically appropriate treatment programs.
Advise physicians, surgeons, residents, staff, and other health care providers on occupational therapy management of hand and upper extremity dysfunction.
Make consultation available to providers throughout the VA New Jersey HealthCare System, particularly in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Plastic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and the Emergency Department.
Provide primary clinical services for the Occupational Therapy hand program, which comprises more than 50% of the assignment.
Provide coverage for the general Occupational Therapy population as needed.
Develop treatment strategies and advanced specialized evaluations, interventions, and services in the area of specialization.
Develop protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, research, and practice.
Implement and update evidence-based occupational therapy services and programming in the specialty area.
May initiate, lead, or support research projects related to clinical needs, including grant writing, guiding others, and direct clinical participation.