Occupational Therapist (Clinical Specialist)

The Occupational Therapy Clinical Specialist-Hand Therapy position is located at the East Orange VAMC and serves as the subject matter expert in the upper extremity specialty area and as a consultant to occupational therapy and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating patients in the specialty areas of occupational therapy practice that are beyond the general practice of occupational therapy.

The Occupational Therapist demonstrates skills and techniques for a specific patient population who have varying degrees of highly complex occupational upper extremity dysfunction. They provide consultation to physicians and surgeons including Primary Care, Physical Medicine, Plastics, and Orthopedics, and provide professional oversight for staff therapists monitoring and evaluating clinically appropriate treatment programs with great autonomy. Serves as a subject matter expert to physicians, surgeons, residents, and staff, as well as other health care providers concerning occupational therapy management of hand and upper extremity dysfunction. Makes self-available to providers throughout VA New Jersey HealthCare System (VANJHCS) and specifically the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Plastic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Emergency Department providers. Primary responsibility is to the Occupational Therapy hand program. However, has clinical experience to provide coverage for the general Occupational Therapy population. Hand therapy specialty comprises over 50% of the assignment. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 15084F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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. 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.