Occupational Therapy Assistant

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA • Fort Meade, MD

18d • Onsite

About The Position

The Occupational Therapy Assistant provides support to the Surgery Department at Kimbrough in Anne Arundel, Maryland, helping ensure consistent, high-quality patient care and facility operations. The position is a Direct Hire Authority solicitation to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to the competitive service.

The assistant provides occupational therapy services under the supervision of an occupational therapist, helps develop and carry out treatment plans, and delivers therapy to improve patients’ strength, mobility, coordination, and daily living skills. The role uses prescribed therapy equipment, splints, adaptive tools, and assistive technology; monitors and reports patient progress; and teaches patients and families home programs, safety precautions, and equipment use.

The position also involves completing patient documentation, workload data, and quality-assurance requirements; working with the rehabilitation team; training staff and students; and supporting clinic operations. It is mission essential and may require on-call work during irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, or varying schedules. The incumbent must maintain Basic Life Support certification and meet required screening, immunization, examination, and drug-testing conditions.

Requirements

• One year of specialized experience implementing occupational therapy treatment plans and educating people on occupational therapy programs or providing status reports; the experience must be equivalent to the next lower federal grade/level (GS-06).
• Alternatively, one full year of graduate-level education in a directly related field, such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Sports Medicine, or Exercise Science.
• A qualifying combination of education and experience totaling at least 100% of the requirements may be used.
• Obtain and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association or American Red Cross.
• Meet background investigation and suitability requirements for federal employment.
• Meet required immunization screening, including Hepatitis B immunization for direct patient contact, seasonal influenza vaccination unless exempted, and Tuberculosis testing.
• Complete a pre-employment physical examination and annual examinations thereafter.
• Submit to pre-employment urinalysis and applicable random and other drug testing.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Complete a one-year probationary period.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Foreign education used to meet qualifications must be evaluated and deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. education, or receive full course credit at a U.S.-accredited college or university.
• Lifting up to 25 pounds may be required.
• As a mission-essential employee, report to or remain at work as scheduled during severe weather or other emergency situations.

Nice To Haves

• A current, active, valid, and unrestricted Occupational Therapy Assistant license or certification from a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy services under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
• Help develop and carry out patient treatment plans.
• Deliver therapy to improve strength, mobility, coordination, and daily living skills.
• Use prescribed therapy equipment, splints, adaptive tools, and assistive technology.
• Monitor patient progress and report concerns to the supervising occupational therapist.
• Teach patients and families home programs, safety precautions, and equipment use.
• Complete patient documentation, workload data, and quality-assurance requirements.
• Work with the rehabilitation team.
• Train staff and students.
• Support clinic operations.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility and benefits depend on position type.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
• Permanent Change of Station allowances may be authorized, subject to applicable rules and agency determination.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time