Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1) Current permanent Puget Sound VA HCS employees

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Clinical

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of Aquatic Therapy principles and techniques. Applies knowledge of disabilities and their response to immersion and effects of hydrophysics to treatment planning.
• Evaluate patient equipment needs based on individual need and goals with consideration for indications and contraindications of general aquatic equipment, principle underlying selected equipment, and equipment rationale and protocols.
• Review medical record and consults with other team members to gather pertinent information, interprets medical record information, reviews therapy consults/orders, and conducts mental and physical evaluation of patients to develop and implement a treatment plan.
• Develops protocols for evaluation and implementation of aquatic interventions.
• Administers mental and physical assessments for patients with severe and/or multiple diagnoses.
• Independently plans and modifies treatment based on a patient's response to intervention and/or change in medical condition.
• Assesses the need for and the patient's ability to use adaptive equipment.
• Provides aquatic based clinical care and well-being programs consistent with the Whole Health approach to care.
• Interprets and administers physicians' recreation therapy consults/orders, schedules patient for treatment and integrates recreation interventions with other treatments to achieve the goals established for the patient.
• Responsible for development and maintenance of professional standards of therapeutic recreation services.
• Provides education and training to patients and families to support healthy recreation and leisure lifestyle following discharge. Coordinates with other services in the development of appropriate aquatic programs.
• Handles difficult cases involving patients who have multiple diagnoses and/or other severe medical complications.

Administrative

• Reviews and updates other staff members to significant research findings in Aquatic Therapy, interventions, modalities, and protocols within the field of Aquatic Therapy.
• Understands and expresses the significance and purpose of all Recreation Therapy/Creative Art Therapy disciplines. Promotes each discipline equally and positively.
• Understands and can communicate information regarding productivity data and standards, national benchmarks, and clinic development.
• Serves as a member of the RCS Whole Health Committee and actively participates in other hospital/ service line committees as indicated.
• Attends various Hospital, Rehab Care Services, and Recreation Therapy in-services. Provides orientations and in-services to staff and students.
• Serves as a resource person to the community in matters relating to Recreation Therapy/Creative Arts Therapy and Aquatic programs to the needs of the Veteran population.
• Adheres to Hospital established standards, policies and procedures set forth by section, service, and medical center. Manages resources in a cost- effective manner.
• Assists program and service line in achieving compliance with regulatory agency standards, including state, federal, CARF, and Joint Commission standards. Abides by VA and HIPPA patient confidentiality regulations in documentation, consultation, and release of information.
• Assures the cleanliness, maintenance, and successful operation of RCS equipment, treatment areas, and operational supplies.
• Responsible to review, develop and implement Recreation Therapy program treatment protocols for Veterans participating in aquatics.
• Documents patient care using the electronic medical record and updates per medical documentation policy to reflect status of patients.
• Develops Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between various community agencies and organizations with the facility.

Student Education and Recreation Therapy Continuing Education:

• Supervises interns, fieldwork students and patients in-work therapy assignments. Serves as preceptor for Therapeutic Recreation students during clinical internships.
• Provides a minimum of one in-service per year to other services and rehabilitation providers on Aquatic Therapy and/or Aquatic program outcomes and health benefits associated with involvement in Aquatic treatment interventions and programs.

Whole Health/Wellness:

• Empowers and equips Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being and to live their lives to the fullest by enhancing leisure experiences and developing strengths and resources.

Quality Program Management:

• Develops criteria for the RT Aquatic Therapy program's quality management.
• Identifies performance trends, forecasts requirements, and ensures proper resolution of resource problems/issues. Reconciles customer concerns.

Work Schedule: 7:30AM - 5PM, Tues. - Fri., and 8AM - 4:30PM every other Sat.
Compressed: Available
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 00000
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.
• 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).
• 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 1 or 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

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.
• 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. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 4b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived.

**NOTE: Applicants MUST submit copies of applicable transcript(s) or certification(s) with graduation/conferred date (unofficial copies are acceptable)

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 (Aquatic Specialist), GS-12

Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of two years of progressively complex experience, which includes one year equivalent to the next lower grade directly related to the position being filled.
AND,
Certification. Additional certification in a specialty treatment area in recreation therapy - current Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Industry Certification (ATRIC).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of best practice and evidence-based recreation therapy across multiple areas of practice.
ii. Ability to perform clinical services and balance organizational responsibilities while developing and implementing effective strategies with great autonomy, at a level compatible with the critical necessity for accuracy and completion.
iii. Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disability and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in- depth specific assessment.
iv. Skill in developing, implementing, and modifying recreation therapy treatment plans in response to changing medical, physical, mental, psychological and/or psychosocial conditions, as well as comorbidities.
v. Ability to provide clinical guidance using the advanced knowledge of best practice and evidence-based recreation therapy implementation across multiple areas of practice.
vi. Knowledge of how recreation therapy impacts revenue resource allocation, as it relates to complex diagnosis, treatment, and diagnostic coding.

Preferred Experience: Experience conducting community reintegration evaluations and training with diverse populations and neurological conditions. Experience providing aquatic therapy to both in-patients and out-patients. Proficiency in developing and implementing therapeutic interventions for a variety of disabilities and neurological conditions. Request that the candidate obtain their American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification within 6 months of their start date.

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-12.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over), moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.), light lifting (under 15 lbs.), pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, kneeling, both legs, operation of motor vehicle, depth perception, hearing (aid my be permitted. Environmental factors include, working outside and inside, excessive humidity, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around moving objects or vehicles, working with hands in water, working closely with others, working alone, outdoor and community work, moderate heat, moderate dampness, moderate cold, and working in/around pools.

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.