kandidatu USA

Occupational Therapist-Education Debt Reduction Program-Authorized

Veterans Health Administration · Department of Veterans Affairs

This job in plain English

This full-time, permanent Occupational Therapist job with the Veterans Health Administration is at the West Texas VA Health Care System in Big Spring, Texas, in the Geriatrics and Extended Care service line. It is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan repayment benefit, and it may close early once 50 applications are received.

Telework eligible1 vacancy

It may close early. The job may close once 50 applications are received, which can be before the closing date of 01/08/2027; the first cut-off date is 10/26/2026, and more applications will be referred as needed.

Can you apply?

Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.

  • Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.
  • Recent graduatesPeople who finished a qualifying degree or certificate in the last 2 years (up to 6 years for veterans).
  • Federal employees (competitive service)Current or former federal employees with competitive status (career or career-conditional).
  • Agency employees onlyOnly current employees of the hiring agency.
  • Federal employees (excepted service)Current federal employees in the excepted service; the announcement says which agencies count.

Other groups listed above may get extra consideration, for example veterans' preference.

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply, according to the conditions of employment. The job is open to the public, and the agency also says it is open to current permanent VA employees, health professions trainees, current permanent federal employees of other agencies, and all U.S. citizens. Former EDRP participants cannot apply.

What you would do

  • Assess patients' functional and occupational abilities using standardized and non-standardized tools.
  • Provide direct occupational therapy treatments to improve daily living, work, and leisure skills.
  • Maintain accurate patient records following VA and occupational therapy policies.
  • Procure, fit, and adapt splints, orthoses, and adaptive equipment for patients.
  • Conduct occupational therapy in-service and clinical training for staff.

Do you qualify for GS-9 to GS-12?

With experience: For GS-12, you need one year of experience equivalent to GS-11 that is directly related to this job. For GS-11, you need one year of experience equivalent to GS-9, and for GS-9 only the basic requirements apply, such as a bachelor's degree plus 2 years of experience as an occupational therapist.

With education: A degree in occupational therapy from a program accredited by ACOTE can qualify you. Options include a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy plus 2 years of experience, a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy plus 2 years of graduate education in a related field, or a master's or higher degree in occupational therapy. For GS-11, three years of progressively higher graduate education leading to an occupational therapy or related degree, or a doctorate in occupational therapy, can also qualify.

Licenses and certifications you need:

  • Current NBCOT certification as an occupational therapist, or
  • A full, current, and unrestricted state license to practice occupational therapy in a U.S. state, territory, Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia

How to apply well

What to send:

  • Long-form resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Cover letter
  • Transcript if you use education to qualify
  • Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcript if you use foreign education
  • License or professional certification copy, if applicable
  • DD-214 if you claim veterans' preference
  • SF-15 if you claim 10-point veterans' preference
  • SF-50 if you are a current or former federal employee

How you will be rated: You will be evaluated on how well you meet the listed qualifications, using your online questionnaire and documents. Your application, resume, and supporting documents will be verified, and errors or missing information may result in an ineligible rating or a lower overall rating.

Tips for this job:

  • Submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment if you want loan repayment help.
  • Include your transcript and confirm your school is ACOTE-accredited if you use education to qualify.
  • Submit the full application package by 11:59 PM ET on 01/08/2027, and update your application in USAJOBS after 90 days if still interested.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Incentives and relocation: Eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), which may reimburse student loan payments; awards up to $200,000 for one to five years are decided after review. Apply within four months of appointment. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized.

Conditions of employment:

  • U.S. citizenship required
  • Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Subject to background and security investigation
  • Online onboarding; acceptable ID required, and non-REAL ID driver's licenses are not accepted
  • Participation in the seasonal flu vaccination program required
  • 1 or 2-year trial period
  • Must complete all application requirements in the Required Documents section

We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.

Job details

Salary
$78,484 – $147,963 per year
Pay scale and grade
GS-9 to GS-12 · General Schedule
Location
Big Spring, Texas
Appointment
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Openings
1
Security clearance
Not Required
Travel
25% or less
Drug test
Not required
Supervisory
No
Occupation
Occupational Therapist (0631)
Announcement
CAZM-13093081-27-AO

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