Indian Health Service

Occupational Therapist

Gallup, New Mexico $75489 - $117625 PA GS Closes Oct 27, 2026

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Summary

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Note: Employees currently assigned to positions in this occupational series as of September 2017 will be considered tohave met the basic requirements for the position occupied. Education: A graduate or higher level degree that included: An occupational therapy curriculum approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) or a professional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained; and Completion of the clinical requirements prescribed by the school. Note: Applicants who have completed an approved graduate level curriculum and who subsequently completed additional graduate training in a specialized field of clinical practice designed to assure professional competence to practice in the specialty meet the requirements for GS-11. Additional information concerning specialty practice areas is available at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) website. Certification For all grade levels, applicants must have passed the national examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service. GS-11 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: providing occupational therapy evaluation and treatment for patients with complex physical, neurological, musculoskeletal, orthopedic, developmental, cognitive, behavioral, and post-operative conditions; developing and modifying individualized plans of care based on clinical findings and patient response; providing upper-extremity and hand therapy; designing, fabricating, fitting, and modifying custom orthoses; providing adaptive equipment recommendations and patient/family education; coordinating care with interdisciplinary healthcare teams; providing consultation and clinical guidance; and participating in quality improvement, patient safety, education, and evidence-based occupational therapy practices. OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph. D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR Combination of education and experience when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-11 grade level. GS-12 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: providing advanced occupational therapy services to patients with complex physical, neurological, musculoskeletal, orthopedic, developmental, cognitive, behavioral, or post-operative conditions. Independently integrating assessment findings, precautions, functional limitations, patient goals, and treatment response to develop and modify individualized plans of care; providing advanced interventions for daily function and participation; and delivering specialized hand therapy, including evaluating upper-extremity conditions and designing, fabricating, fitting, or modifying custom orthoses. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Major Duties

Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations and provide individualized treatment to improve patients' activities of daily living, mobility, strength, coordination, cognition, endurance, and overall functional independence. Evaluate and treat upper-extremity, hand, wrist, and elbow conditions, including post-operative and musculoskeletal injuries, while designing, fitting, and modifying custom orthoses and recommending adaptive equipment. Establish individualized short- and long-term goals, determine treatment frequency and duration, monitor patient progress, modify interventions as needed, and make appropriate discharge or referral recommendations. Collaborate with physicians, nurses, rehabilitation staff, patients, families, and other healthcare professionals while providing education on home programs, adaptive techniques, activity modification, precautions, and safe functional progression. Maintain accurate clinical documentation, provide guidance to therapy staff and students, participate in quality improvement and interdisciplinary activities, maintain professional credentials and competencies, and assist with equipment, supplies, and operational needs. IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.

Requirements

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/. You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation Requirement: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service. Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process. Financial Suitability Requirement: This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS). Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Required Documents

Resume: You are highly encouraged to visit the USAJOBS Help Center before submitting a resume. USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements: Indian Preference Applicants: If claiming Indian preference, applicants must provide a completed copy of the Form BIA-4432, "Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS Only." Indian preference will not be given unless a properly signed and dated form is submitted with your application, including any verification by an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official of tribal enrollment records. For detailed instructions, see form BIA-4432. Refer to BIA-4432 link: Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS When an Indian Preference candidate possesses Veterans preference the rules regarding Veterans preference apply under ESEP and the applicant must provide documentation in order to receive preference. Veterans Preference: If claiming Veteran's Preference provide a copy of your DD214 Form (Member 4 copy). To claim 10-Point Veterans Preference, submit a SF-15 Application (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf) along with the appropriate supporting documentation. For additional information regarding Veterans Preference visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP, follow the instructions below: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf. Current or former Federal employee: Include your most recent SF-50 or if Reinstatement eligible include your Career SF-50. Noncompetitive eligibles: Submit additional documents to prove your eligibility to apply to this vacancy. Transcripts: You are encouraged to submit copies of transcripts (official or unofficial) although not required at the time of application. You must list your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Official transcripts will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer. Licensure, Certifications: Applicants should list their license/certifications on their resume, along with the expiration date, if applicable. Certification of licensure/certification will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer. You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date: 10/27/2026

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as 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. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. 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. 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 about two (2) 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. 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: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. 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. For additional questions please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) found here: https://www.ihs.gov/jobs/faq/.