Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to Veterans and the Public. Applicants will be referred in the following order: 1. Veterans 2. The Public - US Citizens.

Videos

The Recreation Therapist will develop, organize, and administer recreation therapy programs to provide therapeutic interventions to patients for four Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (MH RRTP). The incumbent demonstrates an advanced competency, which qualifies them to perform patient evaluations and treatment procedures independently on patients with a variety of complex diagnoses and disabilities.

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

Clinical:

• Independently 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; and Chronic Pain Syndrome.
• Provide direct patient care for the most complex patients and require only general clinical consultation by the supervisor.
• In collaboration with the larger clinical team, develop individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration, and treatment.
• Recommend adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet the assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy.
• Use activity/task analysis, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic procedures to 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 sophisticated techniques/strategies to improve or support clinical outcomes including: 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.
• Provide Recreation Therapy in-service to the larger clinical teams and other departments in the medical center.
• Request Government Provided Funds (GPF) associated with costs related to facilitation of Therapeutic Recreation programs and complete required training, follow established policies and procedures associated with use and management of government funds, complete 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.
• Provide clinical oversight of Recreation Therapy Assistants and volunteers assigned to the area.

Administration:

• Adhere to guidelines that include Veteran's Health Administration (VHA), Veteran's Integrated Service Network 20 (VISN 20), 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, maintain awareness of updates, changes, or temporary modifications to these guidelines and suggest updates or changes to local guidelines to ensure patient safety, improve clinical outcomes, or enhance the quality of the local service and/or the facility environment.
• Comply with and manage emergency response in the community setting when treating patients.
• Maintain professional relationship with community organization, following all Voluntary Services policies and guidelines.
• Follow all policies and procedures associated with use and management of government funds.

Education:

• Maintain professional competence through participation in appropriate educational activities.
• Participate in staff orientation, successfully complete assigned mandatory training, and in-service activities.
• Deliver treatment in compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) accrediting agencies and VHA directives.

Work Schedule: Sun - Thurs, 9:00am to 6:30pm
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 000000
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.
• A valid state issued driver's license with a clean driving history in accordance with VA Policy to drive a government vehicle.
• Ability to operate and drive a government vehicle as determined by an Occupational Health driving 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS.

1. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)).

2. 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.

3. Certification: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under (b) above, certification cannot be waived.

• Exception. Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation 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 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.

Failure to Obtain 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.

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

GRADE DETERMINATIONS.

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

Preferred Experience: 3 years working in mental health, 2 years working in acute psych or residential mental health programs. Experience in community integration outings, driving clients to and from outings.

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 light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds) and operation of a motor vehicle.

The work environment can be outside or inside and you must be able to work closely with others and work alone.

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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

What are KSAs?
In the federal hiring process, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) are a list of special qualifications and personal attributes that you need to have for a particular job/grade level (see Qualifications section of this announcement).

• Knowledge statements refer to an organized body of information usually of a factual or procedural nature which, if applied, makes adequate performance on the job possible. A body of information applied directly to the performance of a function. Skill statements refer to the proficient manual, verbal or mental manipulation of data or things.
• Skills can be readily measured by a performance test where quantity and quality of performance are tested, usually within an established time limit.
• Ability statements refer to the power to perform an observable activity at the present time. This means that abilities have been evidenced through activities or behaviors that are similar to those required on the job. Note that abilities are different from aptitudes. Aptitudes are only the potential for performing the activity.

Although not required at the time of application, we highly recommend submitting a supplemental document with your written responses to the KSAs required at each grade level you wish to be considered. If you choose not to submit KSA responses, please ensure your resume includes details of your experience that fully demonstrate the required KSAs as described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

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.