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The Creative Arts Therapists perform a wide variety of interventions, which contribute to the overall health of Veterans. The work requires a professional knowledge of creative arts therapy (Dance/Movement), and skill in applying a wide range of theories, principles, and methodologies in the practice of dance/movement therapy. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Administrative responsibility for clinical program development;
• Provide direct patient care;
• Performs appropriate assessments, evaluations, and treatments in order to help prevent functional decline;
• Promote physical, mental, and psycho-social health and well-being following the onset of an injury, illness, or disabling condition;
• Aids in the treatment of acute or chronic medical conditions;
• Fosters Veteran functioning at the highest attainable level;
• Interpretation of tests and measurements;
• Ascertain human systems deficits to determine the diagnosis, treatment, and preventative measures pertaining to attaining optimal health, well-being, and functional independence;
• Identify any of a variety of possible impediments to functioning;
• Performs specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness;
• Conducts, analyzes, interprets, and reports assessment data;
• Provide individual, group, and family treatment, which may be done through a clinic classroom, or on the unit setting;
• Develops and implements methods for measuring effectiveness of dance movement therapy practice and services in specialty areas;
• Fosters effective dance movement therapy practice skills;
• Attends continuing education programs on issues pertaining to dance movement therapy.
• Participates in multidisciplinary ward/clinic rounds;
• Uses standard and non-standard methods for evaluation and interpretation of a wide variety of patient functional levels and provides progressive treatment;
• Assists during emergency situations including initiating and/or assisting with CPR. Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Develops and coordinates educational materials for the caregiver of the patient;
• Helps resolves patient issues/complaints at the lowest level and refers unresolved grievances and complaints to appropriate sources.
• Maintains clinic areas, equipment and supplies in a clean and organized manner to promote quality treatment in a safe and functionally appropriate environment.
• Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Some weekends and evenings)
Compressed/Flexible:Not available
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Creative Arts Therapist (Dance/Movement)/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Carol Brodnax, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

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 creative arts therapist. You must possess one of the following:
  • A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major or emphasis in dance therapy or dance/movement therapy. The degree must be approved by the America Dance Therapy Association (ADTA). OR
  • A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a board-certified dance/movement therapist (BC-DMT) approved by the Dance Movement Therapy Certification Board (DMTCB).
• Certification: Applicants must be board-certified in dance/movement therapy by the DMTCB.
  • Exception: Non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate creative arts therapist, under the authority of 38 USC 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-09 level.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)

Applicants 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).

Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a recreation or creative arts therapist, on the effective date of this qualification standard(June 7, 2019), are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including positive education, and registration and/or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:

1. Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to, and including, the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level, or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
2. Employees who were appointed on a temporary basis, prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
3. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/registration/certification, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
4. Recreation and creative arts therapists who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements, in effect at the time of reentry, as a recreation or creative arts therapist.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

GS-09: Creative Arts Therapist (Dance/Movement):
(a) Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
(b)Assignment: Employees at this level serve in an entry level position as creative arts therapist (dance/movement). Employees have knowledge of their respective discipline and work under direct guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff. Established treatment procedures are substantially adapted and applied for patients who are acutely ill. Therapists at this level may be given general assignments in a program area.

GS-11: Creative Arts Therapist (Dance/Movement):
(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:

• Ability to independently analyze and interpret assessment data for the development of an interdisciplinary treatment plan.
• Skill and implementing specialized programming in accordance with internal and external regulatory requirements, including patient safety.
• Ability to establish and maintain a safe therapeutic environment to promote expression through dance/movement therapy.
• Knowledge of foundational dance/movement therapy techniques, protocols, and treatment interventions that are considered best practices.
• Skill and developing and selecting dance/movement therapy interventions for use with specific populations for therapeutic purposes (i.e., emotional regulation, containment and structure, etc.).
• Ability to assess and use patient cultural backgrounds and values in dance/movement treatment planning and interventions.

Preferred Experience: Experience with telehealth; working with patients of varying backgrounds that deal with chronic pain.

References: VA Handbook 5005/111 June 7, 2019, 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-09 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: This position requires moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.), light carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above the shoulder, use of both hands and fingers, walking & standing (up to 3 hours/day), repeated bending (up to 2 hours), use of both legs, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, and emotional stability.

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.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.