Clarification from the agency

Open to ALL US Citizens - Veterans Preference WILL APPLY. Internal Applicants, including ALL Federal Employees, Department of Veterans Affairs (Agency - VHA, VBA, NCA) Employees, and North Florida South Georgia VA Health System (Facility) Employees, should apply to Job Opportunity Announcement CBTC-12591995-25-SM. Facility Employees will have FIRST consideration.

Videos

Employees at the GS-7 & GS-9 grade level serve as entry-level/developmental level Recreation Therapist (RT) in a career development position progressively expanding their ability to provide assessment and treatment interventions for a wider range of human function systems and patient care needs. RTs at this level practice under the direct supervision of a recreation or creative arts therapist at or above the full-performance level or a designated supervisor in a clinical environment.

Employees at the GS-11 grade level serve as staff Recreation Therapists functioning at the full performance level. RTs at this level practice autonomously receiving guidance in only the most complex cases. Recreation Therapists must be certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and/or licensed in states where applicable.

• Participates in multidisciplinary ward/clinic rounds, as needed, which includes providing information on patient assessment and progress, and information regarding recreation therapy management of patients.
• Regularly attends continuing education programs on issues pertaining to recreation therapy.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills in interpersonal relations, especially the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers.
• Performs appropriate assessments, evaluations, and treatments in order to help prevent physical disability; promote physical, mental, and psycho-social health
• Maintains clinic areas, cleans and organizes therapy equipment and supplies to promote quality treatment in a safe and functionally appropriate environment.
• Maintains a state authorized driver's license and completes required training to be able to transport patients as needed using the medical center's means for transportation.
• Plans, develops, and implements comprehensive, routine treatment programs for individual patients or groups of patients in order to rehabilitate and remediate the effects of disease, disability, or illness and to help restore functioning at the highest level.
• Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Possible Shifts:

• Tuesday - Saturday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 51060F, 51063F, 51066F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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:

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).

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

Education-Transcripts Submitted. The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist, creative arts therapist (art), creative arts therapist (dance/movement), creative arts therapist (drama), and creative arts therapist (music):

(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 (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.(Submitted)

Grandfathering Provision: 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:

Recreation Therapist,GS-7

Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Assignment. Employees at this level serve in an entry level position as a recreation therapist. They work under the direct supervision of a recreation or creative arts therapist, at or above the full-performance level, or a designated supervisor in a clinical environment. Employees have knowledge of their respective discipline, and work with guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff. Established treatment procedures are substantially adapted and applied for acutely ill patients. Employees at this level would not be assigned work at a community based outpatient clinic (CBOC), unless supervision is on site.

Recreation Therapist, GS-9

Experience/Education.

(a) At least one (1) year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level GS-7.

~OR~

(b) 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:

• Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient.
• Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance.
• Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process.
• Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.

Assignment. Employees at this level serve in a developmental position as a recreation therapist. They work under general supervision to perform work in a clinical environment. Employees have knowledge of their respective discipline and work with guidance from higher level or supervisory staff to establish treatment procedures that are substantially adapted and applied for patients who are acutely ill. The recreation therapist may: conduct patient evaluations; analyze and interpret leisure, cognitive, and motor skill assessment data to develop individualized goals, objectives, and treatment plan of care; develop and select interventions to achieve patient goals; review patient progress; adapt or adjust the treatment plan and intervention strategies; implement therapeutic interventions that support measurable functional outcomes (interventions include, but are not limited to leisure education, reality orientation, memory, and gross motor activities); evaluate patient needs for additional, alternative, or termination of services; document patient's behavioral observations, progress, functioning, and intervention outcomes; and develop and provide collaborative services with other team members. Therapists at this level may be given general assignments in a program area.

Recreation Therapist, GS-11-Certification MUST Submitted

Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level GS-9.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).

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.

Preferred Experience: Three (3) years of experience in Short-term Rehab, Metal Health Rehab, Swing Bed, or Nursing Home.

References: VA Handbook 5005/111, Part II, Appendix G60

Physical Requirements: Exerting 20 - 50pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order.

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.
4. All other applicants.

Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies but will be applied to all other applicants.

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.