Clarification from the agency

The Public

Videos

The Recreation Therapy Supervisor has responsibility for overall program planning, developing, implementing, directing, evaluating, and controlling the Recreation Therapy and Creative Art. Therapy program. They develop and initiate new treatment programs based upon current research findings. They evaluate programs to ensure proper coordination with the overall delivery of health care.

The Recreation Therapy Supervisor reviews and analyzes service activities, manages and directs all phases of the Recreation Therapy Section. Responsibilities include training, evaluation, performance appraisal, development of performance standards, writing position descriptions, developing clinical and administrative competencies, counseling of subordinates, initiating disciplinary actions when necessary and hearing and resolving complaints for subordinates, interns, volunteers, patients and the community. Training, clinical staff meetings, Recreation Therapy safety program, therapeutic activities, evidence-based programming, self-directed activities and patient-focused Special Events, are all under direct leadership of the Recreation Therapy Supervisor.

Recreation Therapy Supervisor is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive quality improvement program including risk management and infection control using a systematic approach, which assures the overall quality of the Recreation Therapy and Creative Art Therapy program. The Supervisor also has responsibility for adherence to all provisions of the Equal Opportunity Program in accordance with Office of Personnel Management and Department of Veterans Affairs regulations and established medical center guidelines. The Supervisor demonstrates appropriate attention to and participation in the Incentive Awards program. The Supervisor ensures that all employees, support staff, community personnel, volunteers, medical center staff and veterans are knowledgeable of and comply with safety rules and that safety program requirements are met.

Major Duties:

-Responsible for coordinating the day-to-day planning, supervision and evaluating the entire Recreation Therapy Section
-Develops/supervises specific programs consistent with Department goals
-Prepares written business plans that address strategic goals and objectives
-Supervises implementation of programs for groups and individuals
-Identifies/analyzes governmental, accreditation, and professional standards
-Identifies/analyzes population to be served
-Recruits, trains, supervises and evaluates professional, paraprofessional, interns, Veteran Work Study students and volunteers
-Responds to concerns of staff, patients, relevant others and community at large
-Insures compliance with governmental, professional, agency and accreditation standards and regulations
-Coordinates Service performance improvement and participates actively in Medical Center performance improvement plan
-Prepares/analyzes service funding proposals and development of the facility five-year plan
-Supervises/directs assessments for the purposes of therapeutic recreation interventions
-Coordinates service program/operations with other activity based programs to ensure quality service to patient while ensuring most cost-effective utilization of Medical Center resources
-Collects and analyze data regarding the effectiveness of Recreation Therapy Section operations

NOTE: Candidate may be required to perform a one-year supervisory probation period.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8am to 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
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 a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.
• Education: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist:

(1) Recreation Therapist

(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.

Required Certification:

Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived.

Failure to Obtain Registration/Certification. In all cases, recreation and creative arts therapists must actively pursue meeting registration and/or certification requirements, starting from the date of appointment. 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.

Loss of Credential. A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.

Grade Determinations: 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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.

Supervisory Recreation Therapist, GS-12

(a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i. Ability to provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence.
ii. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
iii. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service.
iv. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
v. Ability to use evidence-based practices, clinical practice guidelines in a professional area, and to guide the staff in applying these tools.vi. Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service.
vii. Knowledge related to administrative functions such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management.

References: Input applicable VA Handbook 5005 reference and appropriate VA Qualification Standard

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS12.

Physical Requirements: This position involves walking, standing, sitting, running, bending, lifting, climbing, and participation in athletic events. It may involve driving motorized vehicles and helping transport patients/residents during community outings. It also involves repositioning severely disabled residents applying knowledge and safe resident ambulation or transfers techniques at times to assist patients/residents. If therapist is involved in facilitating the Aquatics Therapy Program some of the above-mentioned physical demands will be done in the water.

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.

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.