Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) - CLT and Fellowship Program Director

Veterans Health Administration • Bay Pines, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) serves as the subject matter expert for the Bay Pines Healthcare System, with specialization in Certified Lymphedema Therapy (CLT) and responsibility for directing the Fellowship Program. The role is based at Bay Pines Medical Center, a teaching hospital providing a broad range of patient care, education, and limited research services. The position treats patients referred from services including Primary Care, Oncology, Podiatry, Wound Care, and Women's Services. The specialist reviews referrals, evaluates patients’ occupational therapy needs, measures affected extremities, recommends compression garments, establishes exercise protocols, and adapts evidence-based treatment plans to patient needs. The position also provides patient and caregiver education, cognitive assessment and treatment, and communication about treatment progress and outcomes. The incumbent may be rotated to other clinic areas depending on staffing and patient needs and is expected to work Saturdays and holidays on a rotational basis.

Up to 30% of the position is dedicated to fellowship education and administration. The Director coordinates clinical training rotations, monitors compliance with American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) credentialing requirements, communicates with facility and service leadership, staff mentors, Fellows, and Human Resources, supports Fellow orientation and progress, and coordinates reciprocal education opportunities with the Physical Therapy Residency Program Director.

The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position may be authorized for occasional, non-recurring ad hoc telework; it is not a virtual position. Relocation or recruitment incentives are authorized for highly qualified candidates; permanent change of station is not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet one of the occupational therapy education and experience pathways: a qualifying bachelor's degree 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 its predecessor organizations, including required supervised fieldwork.
• Current NBCOT certification as an occupational therapist.
• Full, current, and unrestricted state, territorial, or District of Columbia license to practice occupational therapy.
• For GS-13: one year of experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level, directly related to the position, and one qualifying advanced-practice credential or experience pathway: 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the advanced practice area within the past five years; 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.
• Ability to provide clinical guidance to other occupational therapy practitioners in the advanced practice area.
• Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions, and services to independently develop treatment strategies in the specialization.
• Skill in developing intervention protocols and procedures based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice.
• Ability to consult with healthcare practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice in the specialization.
• Ability to implement and update evidence-based occupational therapy services and programming.
• Meet pre-employment requirements, including applicable background and security investigation, drug testing for testing-designated positions, and physical examination.
• Complete required online onboarding and provide acceptable identification documents.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet physical demands involving frequent standing, walking, squatting, bending, sitting, and changing positions; desk work and upper-extremity reaching, grasping, and placing; and lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling 1–10 pounds constantly, 10–25 pounds frequently, and 20–50 pounds occasionally.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of experience as a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT).
• Experience developing, coordinating, or directing a clinical fellowship, residency, or similar advanced training program.
• Experience serving as a subject matter expert or consultant for lymphedema evaluation and treatment.
• Experience supervising occupational therapy Fellows, students, or trainees in a clinical setting.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic clinical environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional demeanor and strong interpersonal skills with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Sound judgment and independent decision-making abilities.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality, evidence-based patient care.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert for the Bay Pines Healthcare System in the occupational therapy advanced practice area.
• Review incoming referrals for appropriateness using evidence-based practices and independently evaluate patients to determine occupational therapy needs.
• Measure affected extremities, recommend compression garments, and establish exercise protocols for the chronic condition being treated.
• Develop treatment programs with measurable goals based on evaluation findings and the individual prescription; modify or terminate programs as appropriate.
• Administer occupational therapy treatment in the assigned specialty area and rotate to other clinic areas as staffing or patient needs require.
• Provide written and verbal updates on treatment status, progress, treatment plans, and patient responses.
• Schedule patient visits to allow adequate treatment time, conferences, and administrative work.
• Educate and train patients and families or caregivers about medical conditions and home programs.
• Perform cognitive assessments and treatments for the identified patient population or impairment group.
• Spend up to 30% of work time on Fellow education program duties.
• Oversee compliance with AOTA credentialing requirements for the Fellowship and consult with PM&RS and occupational therapy leadership as needed.
• Coordinate clinical training rotations and administration for Fellows across relevant Bay Pines Healthcare System services.
• Communicate Fellowship organization and management information with AOTA, facility education leadership, service chiefs, staff mentors, Fellows, and Human Resources.
• Coordinate pre-arrival arrangements and communication between Fellows and clinical mentors.
• Coordinate reciprocal education and training opportunities with the Physical Therapy Residency Program Director.
• Facilitate Fellow orientation, including identification, fingerprinting, pre-employment requirements, occupational health, cybersecurity and HIPAA training, computer access, and CPRS training.
• Monitor Fellow progress and assist with problem-solving with Fellows and staff mentors.
• Work Saturdays and holidays on a rotational basis.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package is available to eligible employees; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Selected applicants may qualify for prior-service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior