Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens **** If you ARE A CURRENT Permeant federal employee, please apply to vacancy announcement CBSU-11883666 -23-AS which is open to current federal employees****

Videos

• Provides recreation therapy as part of a multidisciplinary clinical care team working directly with Veterans on various inpatient units, residential treatment units and/or as outpatients along with Veteran families and/or their advocates.
• Will work in conjunction with Recreation Assistants and Aides to meet the needs of the Veteran.
• There is no delineation between the time the employee will spend engaged in evidenced-based clinical recreation therapy activities versus leisure/diversional recreational activities.
• May be assigned other duties indirectly related to the needs of the Veterans and/or service and/or facility.
• Recreation therapy is a health care discipline that provides services and/or rehabilitate functional capabilities for Veterans.
• Provide treatment services to Veterans, their families and caregivers.
• Conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains.
• Incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services.
• Treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues, such as polytrauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), spinal cord injury (SCI), substance use disorder/addictions, serious mental illness (SMI), and hospice/palliative care requirements.
• Provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision.
• Review recreation therapy consults and conduct comprehensive evaluations.
• Based upon the assessment data, and in collaboration with other stakeholders, the therapist develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration, and treatment.
• Will recommend adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Through the use of activity/task analysis, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic procedures, the therapist designs individualized treatment interventions to reduce stress, anxiety, and maladaptive behaviors.
• Recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities.
• Build confidence.
• Develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary to re-enter the community in a productive manner.
• Sophisticated techniques/strategies used to improve or support clinical outcomes.
• Lifestyle alteration with social skills training; developing or improving (enhancing) self-esteem.
• Developing and maintaining positive relationships,
• Motor learning and training strategies, anger and pain management, identify risks, recovery support, lifestyle adjustment, conflict/problem resolution, adjustment to disability, and including coping with grief and loss.
• Resourcefulness is exercised in providing individualized, unique, effective methods and procedures when implementing therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to: assistive technology; cognitive behavioral skills; aquatic; fitness and wellness; community accessibility/reintegration/transition; and adapted sports and leisure development.
• Patient needs are evaluated for additional, alternative, or termination of services.
• Intervention plans are monitored for effectiveness, making modifications, as needed.
• Recreation therapists determine the effectiveness of protocols, modalities, and programs for targeted groups through quantitative analysis and identify potential risks and needs for adaptive interventions to facilitate improved biopsychosocial well-being.
• Participate in co-treatment opportunities, including but not limited to: neurological rehabilitation, mental health recovery programs, and palliative care related to the symptoms of a terminal illness.
• Discharge analysis and planning is conducted for community needs.

Work Schedule: Sun-Thurs or Tues-Sat 7:30am-4:00pm or 12:30pm-9:00pm or Fri-Mon 10:30am-9:00pm.
Compressed::Alternative work schedule available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 53281-A, 53282-A, 53283-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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.
• 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.

Qualifications

**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 09/29/2023.The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be place on 2 weeks out March 31, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.**

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.

(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 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.
• 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).

• Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. The private organization must deem such education at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

Grade Determinations:

• Recreation Therapist, GS-7

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 (GS-07), 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.

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.

• 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.

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.

Preferred Experience: 1. One year experience of working in a CLC Unit, 2. Training in program development, 3. Training and or
experience in writing SOPs and SOWs. 4. Training or experience in complementary therapies 5. Ability to maintain a safe environment 6. Driving is required

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-07 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours); Pushing (up to 4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (up to 8 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters; Correctable vision :20/40 in one eye; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders; Emotional and Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

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.