Occupational Therapist (Holistic Health and Fitness)

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command • Fort Leonard Wood, MO

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This Direct Hire Authority position is with the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, Army Engineer School, 1st Engineer Brigade, at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The Occupational Therapist provides services to maximize Soldier performance and improve unit readiness, including programs to optimize performance behaviors and mitigate injury risk. The role includes evaluating physical, psychological, cognitive, activities of daily living, functional and adaptive skills, and work and occupational role performance; planning and delivering individual and group treatment; using therapeutic modalities and integrative techniques and technologies; and coordinating rehabilitation and wellness activities with an interdisciplinary team. The therapist also educates Soldiers on injury and disease effects on function, joint protection, energy conservation, ergonomics, work simplification, and cognitive compensatory techniques.

The position requires a graduate degree in occupational therapy from an appropriately accredited program, completion of clinical requirements, and NBCOT certification, subject to a specified exemption for certain current federal occupational therapists. Applicants must also have at least one year of specialized occupational therapy experience at a level equivalent to GS-11, including adult evaluations, therapeutic modalities aimed at performance optimization, and interdisciplinary coordination. Education cannot substitute for this experience requirement.

Employment is subject to background and suitability investigations, eligibility for a Secret clearance, drug testing, immunization requirements, and a pre-placement medical examination. The incumbent must maintain BLS certification, meet credentialing and clinical privilege requirements, and may be required to work overtime or outside normal hours, travel on temporary duty up to 25% of the time, and be on call after hours or on weekends. Work may occur outdoors in non-climate-controlled Army training environments and involve lifting moderately heavy equipment, with lifting up to 50 pounds potentially required. A one-year probationary period applies. PCS costs are not authorized; recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.

Requirements

• Graduate-level degree in occupational therapy with an ACOTE-approved or otherwise recognized curriculum, including the clinical requirements prescribed by the school; transcripts must be provided.
• Passed the national examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT); certification documentation must be provided.
• At least one full year of professional occupational therapy experience equivalent to GS-11, including evaluating adult populations, implementing therapeutic modalities aimed at performance optimization, and coordinating with an interdisciplinary team.
• The specialized experience requirement must be met through experience; education cannot be substituted.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and provide proof of citizenship.
• Must obtain and maintain eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access, and complete required background investigation and credit check.
• Must obtain and maintain current American Heart Association-sponsored or endorsed Basic Life Support training and certification.
• Must meet credentialing requirements and obtain and maintain appropriate clinical privileges.
• Must pass required suitability determinations, including suitability for potential contact with children under 18.
• Subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
• Subject to annual seasonal influenza vaccination; immunization screening is required, and Hepatitis B immunization is required for positions with direct patient contact.
• Must complete a pre-placement medical examination.
• Must be able to meet physical demands that may include lifting up to 50 pounds.
• May be required to work overtime or outside normal duty hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays.
• Must meet a temporary duty or business travel requirement of 25% of the time.
• May be required to use a government cell phone and be on call after hours and on weekends.
• Foreign education used to meet qualifications must be evaluated and deemed equivalent to U.S. accredited education, or receive full credit at a U.S.-accredited institution.
• A one-year probationary period is required.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive occupational therapy services to maximize Soldier performance and improve unit readiness.
• Develop programs to optimize performance behaviors or mitigate injury risk.
• Conduct formal and informal evaluations of physical, psychological, cognitive, ADL, functional and adaptive skills, and work and occupational role performance.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement goal-oriented group and behavioral-focused individual treatment programs.
• Use therapeutic modalities, integrative techniques, and technologies.
• Participate in an interdisciplinary team coordinating rehabilitation or wellness activities for individual Soldiers or groups within the brigade.
• Educate on injury and disease processes and their effects on function, joint protection, energy conservation, ergonomic needs, work simplification, and cognitive compensatory techniques.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized.
• Advanced in-hire at a higher step may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior