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

This position is located within the Bay Pines Medical Center, a large level 1a, highly affiliated facility. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and limited research. Comprehensive healthcare is provided through primary care and long-term care in the areas of dentistry, extended care, medicine, neurology, oncology, pharmacy, physical medicine, psychiatry, rehabilitation and surgery.

Major duties

The Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist): CLT and Fellowship Program Director) serves as the subject matter expert for the Bay Pines Healthcare System. Referrals are commonly received from Primary Care, Oncology, Podiatry, Wound care, and Women's Services. Responsible for treating all patients referred to this clinic, measure the affected extremities, recommend compression garments and establish an exercise protocol for this chronic condition. Uses evidence based practices to review incoming referrals for appropriateness and independently evaluates patient's problems to determine their occupational therapy needs through the use of standard tests and measurements adapting and modifying treatment plans to meet the needs of patients. Demonstrates a full professional understanding of the theories of treatment in occupational therapy and their proper application. Plans a treatment program with measurable goals, based on evaluative findings and within the boundaries of the individual prescription. Modifies the program according to changing patient needs and terminates treatment program when all goals have been met. Independently administers standard occupational therapy treatment in the specific area to which he/she is assigned but may be rotated to other clinic areas depending on staffing/patient needs. He/She will be expected to work Saturdays/Holidays on a rotational basis. Provides written and/or verbal occupational therapy treatment status and progress, treatment programs plans and patient response to treatment. Independently schedules patient visits throughout the day allowing for adequate individual treatment time as well as necessary time for conferences and any administrative tasks. Consults with patients and their families/caregivers through patient family education, training, advising them in the nature of their medical condition and by providing home programs. Performs cognitive assessments and treatments specific to identified patient population or impairment group. FELLOWSHIP DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES Spends up to 30% of time in duties related to Fellow education programs. The Director oversees compliance with the credentialing body for the Fellowship (American Occupational Therapy Association, AOTA) and consults with the PM&RS Service Chief, OT Section Chief, and Administrative Officer as needed. Responsible for coordinating the administration of clinical training programs for Fellows who rotate through all relevant Services within the Bay Pines Healthcare System. Communicates all relevant information regarding organization and management of the Fellowship Program with AOTA, Facility Education ACOS, PMR Service Chief, OT Section Chief, and staff mentors. Communicates with Fellows and Human Resources prior to Fellow arrival to make appropriate arrangements and facilitate adequate communication between Fellows and their clinical mentors across all Services. Coordinates with Physical Therapy Residency Program Director to provide reciprocal education and training opportunities. Facilitates Fellow orientation including coordination of the following:

• ID badge
• Finger printing
• Pre Employment Occupational Cyber security training
• HIPPA training
• Computer Access and CPRS training

Assists with monitoring of Fellow progress and problem solving as needed with the Fellow and staff mentor.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Ad hoc is defined as occasional, non-recurring telework. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 22132F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Education and/or Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the following requirements below: (a) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) years of experience as an occupational therapist; NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1, 2005 decision that the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. or (b) Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and two (2) full years of graduate education in a related field; NOTE: The baccalaureate degree must be from an approved program prior to the AOTA January 1, 2005 decision that ACOTE would only accredit master or doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy. or (c) Master's Degree or higher in occupational therapy.

Individuals must be a graduate of a degree program in occupational therapy approved by the ACOTE or predecessor organizations. This is inclusive of an internship (supervised fieldwork experience required by the educational institution). 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.

Foreign Graduates. Graduates of foreign occupational therapy programs meet the requirements of subparagraph [3b(2)] if they have a current, full, active and unrestricted license referred to in subparagraph [3e] of this appendix.

Certification. Candidates must possess a current NBCOT certification as an OT.

State Licensure. Candidates must possess a full, current, and unrestricted state license, to practice occupational therapy in a state, territory or Commonwealth of the United States (i.e., Puerto Rico), or in the District of Columbia.

Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required state or territorial licensure and the NBCOT certification, both current and in good standing, must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment

Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of this occupation.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist) GS-13 Education, Experience, and Licensure. Completion of one year of experience equivalent to at least the [GS-12 grade] level and directly related to the position being filled and one of the following:

• A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice directly in the advanced practice area. This time must be within the past five years;
• Certification in an area recognized by the AOTA;
• Completion of a fellowship/residency or advanced degree program in the advanced practice area;
• or An additional advanced degree in a related field.

Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice
• Ability to provide clinical guidance in the advanced practice area to other OT practitioners.
• Knowledge of advanced specialized evaluation, interventions and services to independently develop treatment strategies for area of specialization.
• Skill in developing protocols and procedures for intervention programs based on current occupational therapy theory, recent research, and practice.
• Ability to provide consultation to other health care practitioners and outside groups about occupational therapy scope of practice for area of specialization.
• Ability to implement, revise/update evidence based occupational therapy services and programming in area of specialization.

Assignment. Clinical OT specialists at this grade level serve as subject matter experts and as consultants to occupational therapists and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the areas of occupational therapy that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy. This individual must demonstrate skills and techniques for a specific patient population that has highly complex occupational and/or psychosocial impairments. Clinical OT specialist may initiate, lead, and support research projects related to clinical needs. This may include grant writing, guiding others in the process, and direct clinical participation in research.

Preferred Experience:

• Minimum two years of experience as Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)
• Experience developing, coordinating, or directing a clinical fellowship, residency, or similar advanced training program
• Demonstrated experience serving as a subject expert matter/consultant for lymphedema evaluation and treatment
• Experience supervising OT fellows, students, or trainees in a clinical setting
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic clinical environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Professional demeanor and strong interpersonal skills when working with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members
• Sound judgment and independent decision-making abilities
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to high-quality, evidence-based patient care
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team setting
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G14

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Standing, walking, squatting, bending, sitting, and changing from one position to the other frequently throughout the day. Sitting at a desk and using upper extremities to reach, grasp and place papers, chars, and binders. Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling: 1-10 pounds constantly, 10-25 frequently, and 20-50 pounds occasionally.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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. 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). 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.