Occupational Therapist (Certified Hand Specialist) Job in Sunrise, FL

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

• Federal employees - Excepted service

  Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

• Internal to an agency

  Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

• Veterans

  Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Duties

Clinical Functions: The clinician must fully demonstrate:

1. Advanced knowledge of contemporary and evidence based OT practice with expertise in content specialty area of hand rehabilitation.
2. Specialized skills and medical knowledge in the evaluation of the patients' medical condition.
3. Ability to triage consults establishes treating diagnosis (differential diagnosis) and either implements treatment or coordinates appropriate referral to PMRS, EMG, Radiology or Hand Surgery.
4. Communication skills both orally and in writing, with patients, families, caregivers and other health care professionals to facilitate the multidisciplinary treatment process. Is considerate of patient cultural needs and diversity.
5. Advanced clinical knowledge in specialized evaluation intervention and services to independently develop treatment strategies for specially populations.
6. Advanced knowledge in orthotics/splints (static and dynamic), adaptive equipment/devises and prosthetics.
7. Advanced skills/knowledge to provide clinical guidance/oversight in the specialty area of upper extremity dysfunction to staff occupational therapist by mentoring, teaching, assistance to outpatient, inpatient and spinal cord unit occupational therapy staff in specialized area of hand rehabilitation.
8. Attends Hand Surgery Clinic (as able) and forms part of the multidisciplinary team, which includes physicians, residents; fellows, nursing and cast technician.
9. Provides consultations to other health care practitioners in the medical center on occupational therapy scope of practice and specialty area of hand rehabilitation.
10. Acts as a clinical instructor to occupational therapy students, occupational therapy assistant students or associated health trainees, instructing them in occupational therapy scope of practice and area of expertise (hand).

1. Document clearly and concisely the physical findings noted during the evaluations as well as changes in medical status via progress notes. A therapist at this level will be able to document appropriately to support the level of care provided. This includes understanding and practicing documentation and coding practices for appropriate billing.
2. Accurately maintains documentation in keeping with PMR service-level and Medical Center¬ wide policies.
3. May perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties on an occasional basis, where the complexity and the amount of work is not substantial (less than 35% of duty time). i.e. supervision of IT, CWT or volunteers to PMR clinics
4. Can be assigned a student affiliate and will be responsible for offering feedback during supervision and completing all necessary evaluations during the internship period.
5. Is responsible for maintaining comprehensive knowledge with The Joint Commission and CARF standards in order to be in compliance in the event of unannounced surveys and visits.
6. Maintains inventory of supplies and tools needed for all aspects of job capacity (Hand Specialist) as allowed by the facility
7. Maintains the Hand Therapy Clinic/area in a neat and orderly fashion as to facilitate patient care and be conducive to the treatment process.
8. Assist in developing protocols and procedures for specialty area of care (hand) based on current theory, research and practice.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• 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 dentification 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.

• 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/27/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12805769.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.