Clarification from the agency

The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent employees of other Federal agencies 2. Veterans 3. The Public - US Citizens.

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The incumbent uses a variety of recreation modalities to treat the physical, mental, emotional and social needs of individual patients and /or groups of patients and families to maintain or rehabilitate a patient's physical/ mental or palliate health symptoms related to terminal illness. Duties will include:

• 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 amputation, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), spinal cord injury (SCI), substance use disorder/addictions, serious mental illness (SMI), and hospice/palliative care.
• Reviews recreation therapy consults and conducts comprehensive evaluations.
• Develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration, and treatment.
• Recommendations for adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy are documented in the medical record in a timely manner.
• Responsible for developing, organizing and administering Recreation programs to provide therapeutic treatment to patients in various areas as assigned, e.g., Behavioral Health Services, the Community Living Center; Palliative Care, Hospice, outpatients and other patient care areas as needed.
• Uses effective interviewing techniques to obtain objective and factual information pertaining to the Veteran's interests and aptitudes.
• Observes the patient during trial assessment to confirm original assessment.
• Interviews Veterans with severe or multiple diagnoses that require unconventional interview approaches and treatments to devise effective methods and procedures.
• Develops Recreation Therapy treatment plans to address specific needs identified in the assessment process that conform to Joint Commission (TJC), National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) and Professional Standards of Practice.
• Designs individualized treatment interventions to reduce stress, anxiety, and maladaptive behaviors, recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities, build confidence, and develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary to re-enter the community in a productive manner.
• Facilitates activity participation in the community, which may require transporting of the Veterans receiving therapy. It may further involve community reintegration tasks such as vehicle access, safety and transfer training, bus route orientation and environmental navigation.
• Plans, implements and evaluates a wide range of recreation therapy interventions utilizing appropriate modalities to address treatment needs and may participate in co-treatment opportunities with other disciplines.
• Develops and implements psychosocial activities for coping with frustration, stress, anger, and hostility as well as education and training on the appropriate use of leisure time with the goal of improving social interaction skills.
• Schedules and conducts activities including day, evening and weekend programming to support departmental objectives.
• Submits funding justification to the immediate supervisor for monthly budget allocations and effectively manages and utilizes approved funds.
• Orientates Recreation Assistants, interdisciplinary team members, patients, students and volunteers regarding recreation therapy as a treatment modality and explain theoretical and practical aspects of the profession to various groups and individuals within the medical center and community.
• Provides community reintegration structured programs, encourages patients to develop and enhance the appropriate psychosocial skills, peer-to-peer interactions, executive functions, motor planning and physical skills.
• Sets overall objective/milestones of the program ensuring individuals are developing necessary cognitive and motor skills required for day-to-day social interactions and environmental challenges/obstacles.
• Interacts with community agencies to arrange for community re-integration activities and discharge planning, such as plan and carry out patient trips into the local/regional communities. Coordinates activities, outings and special events for patient trips into the local/regional communities.

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.
• Current Drivers' License

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
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.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education (COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS WITH COFER DATE REQUIRED):
  • (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 paragraph 3b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived. COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED
  • 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.

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.

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.