Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens. For the interdisciplinary Supervisory Recreation Therapist candidates should apply to announcement CAZM-12895967-26-SG. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Major Duties as Assigned, but not limited to:

• Must be able to perform all duties of subordinate therapists.
• Functions as a professional and technical advisor to the therapists, assistants, other allied health care professionals, program directors and managers throughout the medical center/facility.
• Ensures treatment plans developed by all therapists promote the goals of the program in which each Veteran is participating.
• Develops and implements well-being programs, recreation and creative arts therapy programs, and other programs, as assigned.
• Keeps abreast of current scientific, technological, theoretical and treatment modality changes, as well as management theory relating to the provision of the Whole Health System of Care.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates therapy programs using principles of evidenced-based practice to establish and/or improve therapeutic outcomes.
• Provides direct supervision of staff within the well-being program and the recreation and creative arts therapy program of Whole Health to include, but not limited to: supervisors, recreation therapists, creative arts therapists, therapy assistants, recreation assistants, and other staff, as assigned.
• Actively recruits potential candidates, interviews applicants and coordinates in the selection process with Human Resources, selecting best candidates, orienting new employees, creating employee performance standards, completing semi-annual/annual performance appraisals, recommending performance awards/promotions, and training.
• Recommends and initiates counseling and disciplinary actions for subordinate.
• Develops position descriptions or functional statements and determines the level of competency necessary to meet mandatory job requirements.
• Responsible for establishing the work schedule and approval/disapproval of leave requests, as they relate to the overall workload and functioning of staff members.
• Conducts staffing and productivity studies to ensure effective manpower utilization.
• Reviews medical records of patients to substantiate that staff meet established guidelines of care that meet the needs of the patients.
• Oversee and provide general supervision to volunteers assisting with well-being program and the recreation and creative arts therapy program.
• Develops and/or revises policies and procedures for well-being program and the recreation and creative arts therapy program.
• Effectively applies EEO principles and Whistleblower protections.
• Participates in or chairs medical center committees, as assigned.
• Analyzes current use and projects needs for formulation of the annual service budget estimating operating requirements including staffing, equipment, supplies, and services.
• Maintains fund-control points for well-being program and the recreation and creative arts therapy program and general post accounts as an approving official, as specified in policy.
• Designated as an approving official for the Government Purchase Card.
• Responsible for the routine tracking and monitoring of equipment items charged to well-being program and the recreation and creative arts therapy program, and related functions, to include equipment requests, turn-ins, repair, and maintenance of same.
• Assists in the development of the performance improvement program to continually monitor therapy functions of WH&IHS staff for quality and appropriateness of well-being program and the recreation and creative arts therapy program.
• Assures that the well-being program and the recreation and creative arts therapy program is in compliance with applicable standards established by OSHA, VHA, JC, CARF and other reviewing agencies.
• Monitors a system of internal reviews to ensure well-being program and the recreation and creative arts therapy program both operate at optimum level of effectiveness and ensures compliance with regulatory agency requirements.
• Develops and supervises the Performance Improvement Program within well-being program and the recreation and creative arts therapy program to ensure provision of high-quality therapy and improved outcomes.
• Prepares and submits reports and outcomes to staff and management
• Oversees a continuing staff development program for well-being program and the recreation and creative arts therapy program staff.
• Ensures that all therapists meet mandatory and continuing education requirements to assure maintenance of certification.
• Coordinates learning activities and rotations for any fee basis appointees, clinical interns, work-study students, stay-in-school students and incentive therapy workers, as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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 creative arts therapist (art), creative arts therapist (dance/movement), creative arts therapist (drama), and creative arts therapist (music): You must possess one the following education requirements.

Creative Arts Therapist (Art)
(a) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in art therapy approved by the American Art Therapy Association on or before June 30, 2016. If the degree is received after June 30, 2016, a master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with a major in art therapy, must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Art Therapy Education: a committee of the Commission on Accreditation on Allied Health Education Program. OR,
(b) A master's degree in a related field, plus graduate coursework and supervised field experience in art therapy. Acceptable related fields include: Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, Psychology, Addictions Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, and Psychiatry, AND must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration as a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) approved by the Art Therapy Credentials Board. If hired under this education, the registration cannot be waived.

Creative Arts Therapist (Dance/Movement)
(a) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major or an emphasis in dance therapy or dance/movement therapy. The degree must be approved by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA). OR,
(b) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a board-certified dance/movement therapist (BC-DMT) approved by the Dance Movement Therapy Certification Board (DMTCB). If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived. NOTE. Dance/movement therapy coursework that began on or after March 15,2013, must have been approved by the ADTA subcommittee for the approval of alternate route courses.

Creative Arts Therapist (Drama)
(a) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a drama degree program approved by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA). OR,
(b) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a registered drama therapist (RDT). The RDT is granted by the NADTA and indicates that one has met the educational requirements and achieved competency in the practice of drama therapy. If hired under this education, the registration cannot be waived.

Creative Arts Therapist (Music)
(a) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, in music therapy, or in music with an emphasis in music therapy. The degree must be approved by the National Association for Schools of Music and/or the American Music Therapy Association. OR,
(b) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived.

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


Registration for:

Creative Arts Therapy (Art). Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration with the ATR. If hired under paragraph 4b(2)(b), registration cannot be waived.

Creative Arts Therapy (Drama). Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration as an RDT. If hired under paragraph 4b(4)(b), registration cannot be waived.

Certification for:

Creative Arts Therapy (Dance/Movement). Applicants must be board-certified in dance/movement therapy by the DMTCB. If hired under paragraph 4b(3)(b), certification cannot be waived.

Creative Arts Therapy (Music). Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under paragraph 4b(5)(b), certification cannot be waived.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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:
GS-13

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:

• Ability to independently provide treatment in complex cases.
• Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, productivity within the service.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships and conflict management.
• Ability to use evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools.
• Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service.
• Knowledge related to administrative functions, such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management.

Preferred Experience:

• Licensure or certification in field
• 5+ years of supervisory experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: The position requires intermittent walking or standing for up to 25% of the tour and driving between Austin, Temple, and Waco sites. As needed, the employee may be exposed to the elements outside where activities are held. The employee must be able to verbally communicate, read, write, and use computers without impairment.

• Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds.
• Light carrying, under 20 pounds
• Both hands required
• Walking or standing, 1-2 hours
• One eye required, corrective lenses okay
• Hearing, hearing aid okay
• Working closely with others

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.