Occupational Therapist Clinical Specialist (Certified Hand Therapist)

Summary

The Orlando VA Healthcare is a Level 1A complexity system that covers approximately 140,000 veterans in East Central Florida. The incumbent is part of the Rehabilitation section of the Anesthesiology Service composed of Physical and Occupational Therapy.

Duties

The incumbent will directly report to a Section Chief or Occupational Therapy Supervisor. The Occupational Therapist (OT) Clinical Specialist is responsible for growing the Hand Therapy Program and forging a strong relationship with hand and Plastic Surgeon's. Since the OT Specialist is considered the subject matter expert within the organization, he/she is expected to provide education and guidance to the Rehabilitation Supervisors, PT/OT staff, and other medical center providers. The incumbent will mainly evaluate/treat veterans in the outpatient setting. There will be occasions when the Hand Specialist would need to perform therapy off site assisting with splinting and evaluation needs. A Section Chief or OT Supervisor may also required the specialist to cover other Outpatient Clinics, inpatient and the Community Living Center (CLC) to address specific OT hand therapy needs. The OT Clinical Specialist is also responsible for the supervision of assigned OT residents/fellows, students, and volunteers that rotate through the outpatient area. Given this person is the subject matter expert in the hand therapy, it is expected that they participate in an OT Residency/Fellowship programs as either a Mentor or Educator. They will also be responsible for OT students as a clinical instructor as determined by his/her supervisor. The incumbent should be a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and will be responsible for an OT Residency or Fellowship Program should be one be approved for the Orlando VAHCS. Duties but not limited to: The incumbent will be responsible for handling all Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation referrals for therapy as well as teaching therapists at other sites the nuances of referring care for this population. The OT clinical specialist plans, develops, coordinates, and implements Hand and Upper Extremity rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities. The OT Clinical Specialist for Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation assesses, plans, evaluates, and delivers care in this specialty area as a component of the Occupational Therapy Section, which usually involves multiple disciplines. Creates a plan of care and refers treatment to an Occupational Therapist Assistant when appropriate. Works closely with an interdisciplinary team in the planning and implementation of the patient's treatment program. Assessing or providing client care, the therapist considers the age of the client as it relates to the ability to understand directions, provide objective self-assessments, or any other medical milieu appropriate to the overall treatment plan. Recognizes contraindications and appropriateness of treatment prescribed by the primary provider and consults with provider if these are in question. Appropriately plans client discharge and/or need for continuing treatment and terminates treatment when the client reaches maximum benefit. Documents all treatment, progress, education, counseling and training in the patient's medical record. Documentation Is completed per station policies for content and timeliness. Develops, and implements comprehensive, complex treatment programs for individual patients or groups of patients to relieve pain, restore or enhance performance, and maximize ability to function independently as possible. Address psychological factors (thoughts, behavior, emotions) and social aspects of human performance as they influence mental health and participation in everyday activities. The therapist independently develops and implements individualized occupational therapy treatment programs and/or group treatments for all patients referred for consultation. Occupational Therapist performs assessments, evaluations, and treatments for the prevention of physical disability, movement dysfunction, and pain resulting from injury, disease and/or disability. The incumbent will serve as the primary mentor and co-coordinator of the Orlando VAHCS Hand & Upper Extremity Occupational Therapy Fellowship Program that is currently in the development phase. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Tour may be modified by a Section Chief or OT Supervisor based on clinical space and/or organizational needs. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 81650F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications and evaluation

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent VA employees of the facility. All other VA employees. All other federal civilian service employees Veteran's Preferance U.S. Citizens 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. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: 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

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online questionnaire and submission of the required documentation specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13079415. The application process is as follows: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date, 10/14/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. NOTE: Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. 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: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT 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 (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Resume/CV for Title 38 & Hybrid Title 38 Applications that may exceed two (2) pages. Must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 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. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Additional information

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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.