Clarification from the agency

1st Area of Consideration: VA Agency Employees 2nd Area of Consideration: Federal Employees 3rd Area of Consideration: U.S. Citizens.

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Examples of duties include the following:

Clinical:

• Conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure).
• Construct appropriate and evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Substance Use Disorder/Addictions; Chronic Pain Syndrome etc.
• Provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision.
• In collaboration with the larger clinical team, the therapist develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration and treatment.
• Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet the assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy.
• Using activity/task analysis, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic procedures, they design individualized treatment interventions to reduce stress, anxiety and maladaptive behaviors, recover basic motor functioning, reasoning abilities, build confidence, and develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary to re-enter the community in a productive manner.
• Use of sophisticated techniques/strategies to improve or support clinical outcomes, eg. develop positive patterns of behavior; relaxation and stress reduction; lifestyle alteration; social skills training; develop self-esteem; reinforce positive relationships; motor learning and training strategies; anger and pain management; identify risks; recovery support; lifestyle adjustment; conflict/problem resolution; adjustment to disability, including coping with grief and loss.
• Plan and facilitate therapeutic recreational community integration outings with the Veterans.
• Responsible for requesting of Government Provided Funds (GPF) associated with costs related to facilitation of Therapeutic Recreation programming. Responsible for completing required trainings, following established policies and procedures associated with use and management of government funds, completes purchase card orders in the identified computer system, ensuring accuracy of all charges and submitting audit information as requested.
• As driving can be an important part of the job often transporting Veterans in the community, incumbent must satisfy all valid WA driver's license and meets the minimum VA and VHA medical requirements for the operation of government vehicles.
• Supervises interns, fieldwork students and patients in-work therapy assignments. Serves as preceptor for Therapeutic Recreation students during clinical internships. Provide ongoing orientation and in-service education program regarding benefits and outcomes of a therapeutic recreation program. Follows section and college procedures to ensure high quality training. Provide internship curriculum, learning objectives, supervision and grading.
• Provides clinical oversight of Recreation Therapy Assistants assigned to the area.

Administration:

• The incumbent adheres to guidelines that include Veteran's Health Administration (VHA), Veteran's Integrated Service Network 20 (VISN 2), VA Puget Sound VAPSHCS and local departmental policies and procedures; The Joint Commission (JC) standards; Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standards; as well as the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) Professional Standards of Practice, ATRA Scopes of Practice and ATRA Codes of Ethics. Through continuing education and by professional association, therapists maintain awareness of updates, changes, or temporary modifications to these guidelines and may suggest updates or changes to local guidelines in order to insure patient safety, improve clinical outcomes or enhance the quality of the local service and/or the facility's environment.
• Responsible for complying with and managing emergency response in the community setting when treating patients.
• Maintains professional relationship with community organization, following all Voluntary Services policies and guidelines.
• Follows all policies and procedures associated with use and management of government funds.

Education:

• Maintains professional competence through participation in appropriate educational activities.
• Assists in teaching and providing learning experiences for Recreation Therapy clinical interns as required.
• Participates in staff orientation, successfully completes Medical Center assigned mandatory trainings, and in-service activities.
• Deliver treatment in compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) accrediting agencies and VHA directives.

The duties listed above are GS-11 Full Performance Level, GS-7 and GS-9 duties will differ in complexity and level of supervision.

Work Schedule: 9:30AM - 6PM, Sunday - Thursday
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
• A valid state issued drivers license with a clean driving history in accordance with VA policy to drive a government vehicle.

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.

English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Education. (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); (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

Certification. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived.(COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR GS-11)

• 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.

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 and meet the criteria).

Preferred Experience: Experience working with individuals in SUD or MH treatment settings. Experience with outings and recreational therapy program development and community partnerships.

Grade Determinations:

GS-7:
Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements

GS-9:
Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7);

OR,

A master's degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required one year of professional recreation therapist experience. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient.
ii. Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance.
iii. Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process.
iv. Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques
and interventions.

GS-11:
Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i. 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.
ii. 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.
iii. 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.
iv. 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.
v. Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
vi. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits.

References: VA Handbook 5005/11, Part II, Appendix G60, June 7, 2019

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 or moving of equipment, positioning severely disabled patients and assisting patients in ambulation. The work requires specific common physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity, as well as skill and ability in one or more art forms. The work, which is performed in clinics, wards, offices, conference rooms, and in the community, involves regular and recurring risks and discomforts.

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.