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Major Duties:

• Supports the medical Center, community living center(CLC), domiciliary, and outpatient referrals.
• Interviews and observes veterans to assess aptitudes and interest.
• Uses effective interviewing techniques to obtain objective and factual information pertaining to the veteran's interest and aptitude and observes the patient during trail assignments.
• Develops treatment plans using client's assessment and physician or nurse's therapy orders.
• Uses therapeutic forms of encouragement as well as discipline or correction.
• Coordinates a wide range of activities with other services in the development of patient treatment programs.
• Responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention on an independent basis across the continuum of the care and services of the RCL.
• Guides recreation therapy assistant in correct methods of administering and interpreting test results.
• Serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team recommending treatment objectives. Plans various activities directed towards achieving such therapeutic objectives as diminishing emotional stress, providing a sense of achievement, channeling energies and interests, aiding physical and mental rehabilitation, and promoting successful community re- entry. Serves as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team to establish new programs or activities to meet program objectives. Integrates recreation therapy into overall team treatment plans.
• Administers, scores, or interprets a variety of creative and motor skill tests. Evaluates the assigned patient's mental, emotional, social, and physical capabilities to determine the patient's needs in recreation therapy.
• Administers mental and physical tests for patients with severe or multiple diagnoses. As an expert in recreation therapy, oversees the administration and interpretation of tests.
• Maintains professional currency in testing procedures and practices and introduces new methods as appropriate.
• Guides recreation therapy assistants in the correct methods of administering and interpreting test results. Is considered expert; interpretations are viewed as authoritative.

Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00am to 4:30pmVirtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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

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 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education:
  • 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
  • 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.

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

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.vi. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits.

Assignment:
Employees serving at the full performance level function with independent judgment to administer and interpret recreation therapy assessments and utilize clinical competencies to develop unconventional assessment and interview approaches to effectively elicit information. They conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure). Incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered, the therapist constructs evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for 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. They recommend adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. They build confidence; and develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary to re-enter the community in a productive manner.

References: VA Handbook 5005/111, Part II, Appendix G60 Recreation and Creative Arts Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0638, Veterans Health Administration

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: A Recreation Therapist has job-related physical demands rating of Medium Work (U.S. Department of Labor) which implies frequent 20 pounds of lifting and infrequent lifting of 50 pounds and over. A typical energy requirement at this level is 3.5 METS. Typical physical job demands carrying light to heavy equipment/supplies to all areas of the medical center

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.

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.