Clarification from the agency

Open to Current Permanent Federal Employees & Past/Current/Upcoming VHA HPT Graduates....Order of consideration will be as follows: 1st - Facility Applicants; 2nd- Agency Applicants; 3rd- Other Federal Applicants; 4th - HPT Graduates

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**Announcement extended for additional applications***

Duties performed include, but are not limited to the following:

• Evaluates, establishes goals based on evaluation findings, and develops treatment interventions;
• Implements and modifies as necessary treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimum outcomes;
• Performs documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports as needed;
• Uses Recreation Therapy expertise for direct service delivery to patients; acts as a subject matter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals;
• Serves as Recreation Therapy representative on interdisciplinary teams as assigned or needed;
• In consultation with patients, their families, and caregivers, Recreation Therapists shall educate as required regarding treatment interventions and goals, in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes;
• Demonstrates ability and competency in treating patients that range in age from young adult to geriatric who may experience complex medical or mental health issues;
• Responsible for developing, organizing and administering Recreation programs to provide therapeutic treatment to patients in various areas as assigned;
• Adheres with Medical Center policies; utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) systems in accordance with established procedures; adheres to Medical "Center ADP Security policy;
• Required to utilize technology, software systems, which requires some knowledge of telehealth;
• Promotes effective communication with all patients, caregivers, treatment team members, Medical Center staff and community partners.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Subject to change based upon agency needs)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 586-01199/01200/01201
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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 pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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 Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• You may be required to drive a commercial 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.
• 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) 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.
• Certification: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under education option (b) above, 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.

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:
The ideal applicant for this position will have two plus years of experience in a clinical setting with knowledge in the area of fitness and wellness and background as a Recreation Therapist. This experience should include providing direct patient care with complex cases and multiple co-morbidities; Experience with working independently in an outpatient setting/community partner. Experience with developing and implementing programs for individuals with various clinical diagnosis; Experience with flexibility running multiple program simultaneously; Collaboration with providers in the care of patients; Applicant must have worked within a multidisciplinary team and can work independently caring out Recreation Therapy interventions that parallel and complement the overall treatment plan for each patient and supports the goals of the program; Applicant must possess skills in active listening, providing feedback, limit setting, re-direction and structure for each patient's individual needs within a group setting and throughout the milieu; Applicant must also have a strong grasp of Recreation Therapy interventions including, however not limited to; leisure education, creative expression, resource building, relationship building, activity facilitation and participation; Certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is required.

Grade Determinations:

Recreation Therapist, GS-7
(a) Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Recreation Therapist, 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.
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.

Recreation Therapist, GS-11
Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.
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 5005/111, 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: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending, reaching, stooping and stretching to take apart equipment and apparatus, lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling objects including wheelchairs. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures. This position requires occasional driving a government vehicle.????

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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.