Occupational Therapy Assistant

Duties

• Administer occupational therapy to patients using various modalities, including heat, cold, water, electricity, massage, and therapeutic exercise.
• Perform general evaluation tests to determine treatment needs and progress.
• Instruct patients in a variety of exercise programs and activities of daily living.
• Maintain patient treatment records and reports covering patient progress and treatment determinations.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to make recommendations for the patient?s rehabilitation and reintegration needs.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• A Personnel Security Investigation is required.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Tier 3 security investigation or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• This position has specific initial background investigation and periodic re-verification requirements since its duties require interaction with children and youth under the age of eighteen (18) years of age on a recurring basis.
• Selectees will be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption.
• A pre-placement medical examination is required.
• Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
• Applicants must be able to fulfill non-privileged professional credential requirements.
• This position may include shift work (evenings, weekends, holidays).
• This position may require rotating shifts (i.e. work schedule that requires employees to continuously rotate from one shift to another at predetermined intervals).
• This position may require the incumbent to work during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
• This position may require the incumbent to work on call during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
• Moderate to heavy lifting may be required.
• Position may be designated as Inclement Weather Essential. The incumbent must make every attempt to report for work on time and/or remain on duty during severe weather conditions.
• Position may be designated as Mission Essential. The incumbent will be required to report to work during times of contingency operations, natural disasters, extreme weather or other emergency situations.
• Additional requirements may be determined as positions arise and will be communicated during the hiring process if you are selected.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document .
Basic Requirements for Occupational Therapy Assistant:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes implementing occupational therapy treatment plans; and educating on occupational therapy programs or providing status reports. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-06).

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Sports Medicine, Exercise Science.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

In addition to meeting the requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirement listed below:

License/Certification: A current, active, valid and unrestricted license or certification as an Occupational Therapy Assistant from a state, the District of Columbia, or a territory of the United States.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• Permanent positions: One year trial/probationary period may be required.
• Term positions: One year trial/probationary period may be required.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.
• Student Loan repayment may be authorized.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Permanent, term, part-time, intermittent or temporary positions may be filled from this solicitation. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is temporary, full-time, part-time, or intermittent.
• Intermittent Positions: This position does not provide guaranteed work hours each week, and work will be assigned on an intermittent "as needed basis." This position will NOT lead to a full-time position.
• Intermittent employees are NOT eligible for benefits (Health and Life Insurance) (Annual and Sick Leave).
• Temporary Positions: A temporary position is time limited and may be extended in one year increments to a maximum of three years and may be terminated at any time during the duration of the appointment.
• Term Positions: A term position is time-limited and may be extended to a maximum of eight years.
• Some positions filled from this register may support the Federal Government's response efforts to COVID-19.
• Position may require employee to wear a uniform and/or protective clothing.
• Position may be designated as Emergency Essential.
• Position may be designated as Key.
• This position may be obligated.
• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
• If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
• Information may be requested regarding the vaccination status of selectees for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols. For more information, visit https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/ .
• This announcement is intended to provide readily available applicants for hard to fill positions as they become vacant. Various vacancies may exist and be filled from this announcement. We accept applications on an ongoing basis; qualified applicants will be referred to Management as their application packages are received. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.