Occupational Therapist

<p>The VISN 4 Eastern Market is comprised of five VA Medical Centers: Coatesville, Lebanon, Philadelphia, Wilkes-Barre & Wilmington. These facilities work with VISN/Market stakeholders to identify market-based strategic initiatives across the clinical care continuum to ensure the delivery of high-quality, convenient, coordinated, and safe healthcare. The goal of resource sharing among Eastern Market Facilities is to expand Veteran access to care by VA providers to improve the patient experience.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>VAFit offers virtual and in-person group exercise classes for Veterans of all ages and abilities, including sessions on General Fitness, Back Pain, Low Vision and Women's Health. The program benefits Veterans with orthopedic issues, weakness, and limited cardiovascular endurance, supporting the Whole Health Initiative through injury prevention, physical activity, and camaraderie. The incumbent will conduct fitness classes and provide initial and ongoing assessments for participants. Strong organizational skills are required to motivate and engage Veterans in their wellness goals. Duties include but not limited to: The occupational therapist (OT) is responsible for independently providing assessment and treatment interventions to outpatients received through healthcare provider referrals and patient self-referrals. Guided by differential diagnoses, the OT performs examinations and evaluations of individuals who have or may develop impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions related to conditions of the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and/or integumentary systems, while considering the effects attributable to unique personal and environmental factors. The OT interprets findings from examination, diagnostic studies/medical tests and, during evaluation, selects appropriate clinical tests and measures, and then integrates findings into the occupational therapy plan of care for patients. The OT establishes a diagnosis within the scope of occupational therapy and identifies the appropriate intervention to treat and/or refer to another clinician for further consultation when needed to determine occupational therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences for meaningful level of function in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals and optimize outcomes; to select the appropriate equipment needed to substitute for loss of function or to substitute for limited function of individuals they treat. The OT practices autonomously, making recommendations to other medical specialties/rehabilitation services as clinically indicated during ongoing assessment of patients under their care. The OT may also develop and provide individualized clinical training experiences for occupational therapy colleagues and students. While it is assumed that face-to-face encounters are embedded in direct patient care, telehealth/virtual encounters are also an essential component of patient care. Travel may be required (up to 20%) to VA Facilities/CBOCs within the Eastern Market. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0730-1600 Telework: Ad hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 06892F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.<h3>Education</h3>Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.