Occupational Therapist

Indian Health Service • Gallup, NM

17d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Physical Rehabilitation Services Department at the Gallup Indian Medical Center in Gallup, New Mexico. The Occupational Therapist provides professional occupational therapy evaluation and treatment, including advanced rehabilitation and upper-extremity services, to eligible inpatients and outpatients across the lifespan. The role is described as part of a career ladder, with promotion potential to GS-12. The position requires compliance with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy for vaccine-preventable diseases. A REAL ID-compliant identification document will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with federal requirements.

The position involves comprehensive evaluation and individualized treatment to improve patients’ activities of daily living, mobility, strength, coordination, cognition, endurance, and functional independence. Services include specialized upper-extremity and hand therapy, custom orthosis design and fitting, adaptive equipment recommendations, patient and family education, care coordination, clinical documentation, and participation in quality improvement and interdisciplinary activities.

Applicants must meet the education and certification requirements for occupational therapists and the applicable GS-level qualifications. The position requires a graduate or higher degree in an approved occupational therapy curriculum, completion of clinical requirements, and passing the NBCOT national examination. Specialized experience or qualifying graduate education is required for GS-11 or GS-12. A federal background investigation and financial suitability review are conditions of employment. A service agreement of at least one year is required. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. Federal annual leave accrual is based on years of service; IHS may credit qualifying prior non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward the leave accrual rate.

Requirements

• Graduate or higher-level degree that includes an occupational therapy curriculum approved by ACOTE or a qualifying professional accrediting organization, and completion of the school's clinical requirements.
• Pass the national examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• For GS-11, demonstrate one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 performing qualifying occupational therapy work, or have three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree, or meet the requirements through a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For GS-12, demonstrate one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 performing advanced occupational therapy work, including advanced services for complex conditions, independent care planning, advanced functional interventions, and specialized hand therapy.
• Federal competitive-service merit promotion candidates must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements; this requirement does not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification and establish direct deposit.
• Successfully complete a federal background investigation and financial suitability review.
• Submit required background investigation forms within five calendar days of issuance of instructions.
• Present two valid forms of identification before appointment; any state-issued ID or driver's license used must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy if duties require work in an IHS healthcare facility.
• At least a one-year service agreement is required.
• If substituting education for experience, provide transcripts or course information; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Nice To Haves

• Additional graduate training in a specialized clinical practice area designed to ensure professional competence may qualify an applicant for GS-11 under the stated education provisions.
• Qualifying prior non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service may be credited toward the rate of annual leave accrual for newly appointed federal employees.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations and provide individualized treatment to improve activities of daily living, mobility, strength, coordination, cognition, endurance, and functional independence.
• Evaluate and treat upper-extremity, hand, wrist, and elbow conditions, including post-operative and musculoskeletal injuries.
• Design, fit, and modify custom orthoses and recommend adaptive equipment.
• Establish individualized short- and long-term goals and 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.
• Educate patients and families 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.
• Assist with equipment, supplies, and operational needs.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave accrual, with the rate based on years of federal service.
• IHS may credit directly related prior non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward the annual leave accrual rate.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.
• Student loan repayment programs may be available to qualifying health disciplines through IHS, NHSC, or HRSA; these are separate competitive processes and depend on agency priorities and funding.

What This Job Offers

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