The incumbent demonstrates an advanced competency, which qualifies him/her to perform patient treatment procedures independently on patients with spinal cord injuries and function as part of an interdisciplinary team. Recreational therapists at this level demonstrate treatment competency in the area of Spinal Cord Injury where the specialized knowledge is required on a recurring basis due to the patient population served and complexity of the facility and/or treatment area. The incumbent may serve as the sole RT on a multidisciplinary team or on a specific service.
Duties include but are not limited to:

• Evaluates patients as appropriate for their age and diagnosis to determine current levels of functioning in regard to mental and physical evaluation in order to develop and implement a treatment plan.
• Devises specific activities and routines to maintain or improve the patient's general state of physical or mental multiple diagnoses.
• Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary and evidence-based RT Practice. Demonstrates the ability to interpret clinician prescriptions and referrals.
• Develops and carries out recreational therapy treatment to meet the individual rehabilitation objectives
• Develops psychosocial activities for coping with frustration, stress, anger, and hostility;
• Provides patient care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient.
• Interprets and administers physicians' recreational therapy prescriptions; schedules patient for treatment and integrates recreation and community activities with other treatments in order to achieve the goals established for the patient.
• Assesses the need for and the patient's ability to use adaptive equipment
• Assesses the patient's ability to use mobility devices in the community
• Administers therapeutic recreation interventions that strengthen debilitated muscles
• Teaches independent living skills, social interaction skills, community skills, adjustment to change coping skills, pre-vocational or work adjustment skills, mobility exercises, cognitive retraining and training to patients
• Obtains and maintains VA Puget Sound Spinal Cord Injury Aquatic Competency

Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm with Saturday rotation and every other Thursday off.
Virtual:This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: 41201-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must possess a current active driver's license
• Must possess valid certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 07/16/2018.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

All applicants must possess a current, valid, unrestricted driver's license. As a condition of employment, selected candidates must maintain a valid Washington State drivers license

All applicants must possess a current, valid, certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to experience that demonstrates the ability to: demonstrate recreational therapy techniques needed to perform functions associated within the recreational therapy scope of practice; apply techniques in the recreational therapy assessment and treatment of recreational, cognitive, and psychological, physical, and social functional deficits; apply health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and environmental maintenance; experience providing care to patients with multiple interacting medical and psychosocial issues allowing for thorough care; ensure communication with patients is effective, motivating and educates the patient as an active participant in their treatment process; manage and diffuse volatile behavior; make critical treatment determinations, adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary, adapting established treatment procedures and equipment for the successful treatment of complex cases both in the facility and in the community; experience facilitating and instructing in-service and clinical training programs; drive and transport patients as part of or for the receipt of therapy.OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the Master's degree level

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Accessibility
• Creative Thinking
• Customer Service
• Interpersonal Skills
• Oral Communication

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements:
This position involves a considerable amount of standing (up to 2 hours), walking (up to 6 hours), stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. It requires repositioning patients, assisting with transfers from wheelchairs/stretchers and transporting them to other departments or facilities. Mechanical devices are available and are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift clients. The work may involve pushing or lifting in excess of 45 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires the therapist to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with neck in a fully flexed or extended position. The therapist may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The therapist may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent must possess sound and logical clinical judgment. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The position also requires ability to work on computers for extended periods of time. The therapist will be performing fine motor and grasping activities on a regular basis. The therapist will be required to drive a vehicle, and be able to swim.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.