Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to the public but current permanent Federal employees should apply to Announcement CBBY-10633656-FY20-MDC .

Duties are at the Full Performance Level, which include but are not limited to:
1. Utilizes time management skills to accomplish the objectives of the Recreation Therapy Section of Rehabilitative Care Services.
2. Prioritizes tasks to ensure that work is accomplished within established time frames.
3. Adapts to changes in processes or procedures without impacting ability to carry out assigned tasks.
4. Works with others to improve systems without sacrificing appropriate attention to patient care needs.
5. Works closely with allied health care specialists to assess patient's condition/progress and coordinate patient treatment to effect maximum rehabilitation potential.
6. Demonstrates flexibility when working with other subject matter experts on scheduling and providing individual treatment for patients.
7. Provides crucial guidance to the primary care provider regarding the patient's improvement or lack thereof in the area of recreation therapy.
8. Explains and discusses both theoretical and practical aspects of recreation therapy treatment and/or therapeutic techniques with various groups within the medical center and community organizations.
9. Writes concise clinical treatment plans which will accomplish the desired goals with greatest efficiency.
10. Skill in developing, implementing and evaluating community reintegration treatment goals and interventions to include public transportation training, community access planning and community mobility and access.
11. Skill in education and use of adaptive sports devices and equipment as part of patient treatment goals and interventions.
12. Knowledge of safety precautions and contraindications for particular disabilities and diagnoses.
13. Independently alters treatment plan and goals based on information provided by interdisciplinary team members.
14. Skill in the use of behavior modification techniques to help the patient focus on his/her involvement in the treatment plan.
15. Applies knowledge and skill assessing and treating patients with varying disabilities and co-morbidities.
16. All other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
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 a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Must possess a current, valid, unrestricted driver's license. As a condition of employment, selected candidates must maintain a valid Washington State driver's license
• This is a temporary position, not to exceed 13 months.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 11/11/2019.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: In accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3j, all employees in direct patient care must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Minimum Education Requirement: To qualify, as a Basic Requirement, all applicants must meet one of the following educational requirements: (a) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure, with an option and/or emphasis in therapeutic recreation. The degree must be approved by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC);
  OR,
  (b) A bachelor's degree or higher in any field from an accredited college or university and must be a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS). The degree must be approved by the NCTRC. If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived.
• Professional Certification: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If you answered B to question 2 of the assessment questionnaire, the certification cannot be waived. Exception. Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for registration and/or certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation or creative arts therapist, under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B), for a period not to exceed two years. Applicants who fail to obtain registration and/or certification during this temporary full-time appointment may be terminated. The exception only applies to positions at the GS-7 and GS-9 level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be registered and/or certified. NOTE: At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unregistered and/or uncertified recreation or creative arts therapist with the written requirement to obtain registration/certification, the date by which the registration and/or certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming registered and/or certified by the deadline. Failure to become registered and/or certified within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation and may result in termination of employment.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation).

Preferred Experience: Experience working with patients with both physical and mental health disabilities. Experience working in a large hospital or healthcare setting. Experience with recreation therapy specific assessment, treatment planning and interventions

Grade Determinations:
GS 7: Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
GS 9: Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level, or a master's degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required one year of professional recreation therapist experience. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient. 2. Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance.3. Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process. 4. Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
GS 11: Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment interventions to address the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of unconventional methods and techniques. 2. Knowledge to independently interpret provider referrals and consults; and apply all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. 3. Skill in effectively communicating and educating, in a clear and concise manner, with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the interdisciplinary treatment process. 4. Skill in independently utilizing appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care in areas such as, but not limited to recommendations for recreation therapy assistive devices, including fit and function. 5. Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. 6. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits.

References: VA Handbook 5005/111 PART II APPENDIX G60

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 7 to GS 11.

Physical Requirements: In some assignments, the work involves regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged walking or standing, bending, moderately heavy lifting (over 50 pounds) or moving of equipment, positioning severely disabled patients and assisting patients with mobility. Tasks can include climbing, lifting, pushing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling. Gross and fine motor dexterity required. The work requires specific, common physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity. This assignment requires the incumbent to drive accessible standard and oversize vehicles to transport patients in the community.

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 MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Ensure your resume is updated and has start/end (month/year) dates of employment; hours worked per week; full-time/part-time/intermittent/volunteer status and ALL relevant work experience as it pertains to the position being applied for.

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.