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Summary The Recreation Therapist is assigned to the Spinal Cord Injury & Disorder (SCI/D) Service at the Eastern Colorado Health Care System - Rocky Mountain Regional (RMR) VA Medical Center. Patient care is conducted not only at RMR, but also outlying Clinic Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) and in the community. Responsibilities VA Careers - Recreational Therapy The duties for the Recreational Therapist-Program Coordinator include but are not limited to: Evaluates and establishes goals based on evaluation findings and independently develops best practice and evidence-based treatment interventions across multiple areas of practice. Implements and modifies as necessary treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimal outcomes. The Recreation Therapist is expected to perform documentation of patient care, including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, and care plans. The Recreation Therapist manages consults in a timely manner and ensures appropriate note completion, as well as other reports as assigned. The Recreation Therapist independently interprets provider referrals and consults, receives consults, provides scheduling guidance for Health Administration Service (HAS) Medical Support Administrators (MSAs), and applies all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. Uses Recreation Therapy expertise for direct service delivery to patients and serves as a subject matter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals. Serves as SCI/D Recreation Therapy representative on interdisciplinary teams as assigned or needed, as well as for the SCI/D Spoke site locations that report through RMR SCI/D Center. In consultation with patients, their families/caregivers, and other SCI/D staff, the Recreation Therapist shall educate on treatment interventions and goals in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Uses Recreation Therapy competency in treating patients that range in age from young adult to geriatric, who may experience complex medical or mental health issues. The Recreation Therapist initiates ordering of specific, appropriate leisure/recreation resources used for accomplishing the agreed upon patient treatment goals. Some of these resources include Rehabilitation Sports Equipment (RSE), which includes an interdisciplinary team of SCI/D &/or Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PMRS) staff for review of medical appropriateness prior to ordering. Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Implements therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to: assistive technology, cognitive behavioral skills; aquatic therapy, fitness and wellness, community accessibility/reintegration/transition; and adapted sports and leisure development. They participate in co-treatment opportunities, including but not limited to: neurological rehabilitation, mental health recovery programs, and palliative care related to the symptoms of a terminal illness. Discharge analysis and planning is conducted for community needs. Attends and participates in required staff meetings. Presents in-services as needed or directed. Carries out other job-related activities, special assignments, and duty locations as assigned by supervisor. The Recreation Therapist maintains appropriate professional boundaries. Participates in National Recreation Therapy events, such as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, Summer Sports Clinic, Winter Sports Clinic, and National Creative Arts Festival. Administration: Adheres with Medical Center policies. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy. Participates in the evaluation of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery. Fosters and maintains a safe treatment area. Promotes effective communication with all patients, caregivers, treatment team members, Medical Center staff and community partners. Preferred Experience: 5 or more years serving patients with Spinal Cord Injury or MS within both Inpatient and Outpatient settings. 5 or more years prescribing, fitting, and modifying Adaptive Sports equipment, e.g. handcycles, specialty sport wheelchairs, and downhill skiing systems. 5 or more years planning, managing, and assessing interdisciplinary program events. Holds a CDL driver certificate. Holds an Adaptive Recreation Therapy certification, such as CARSS-I, CARSS-II, &/or AIT. Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, 8:00 am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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). 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 recreation therapist: (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 3b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived. 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 for Recreation Therapist (Program Coordinator), GS-12: (a) Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-11). (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i. Knowledge of management/administration principles, procedures, and practice, which includes supervision, consultation, negotiation, mediation, and monitoring. ii. Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within services. iii. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties when authorized, which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; competency assessments; performance evaluations; selection of staff; recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions when appropriate. iv. Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work, evaluate program quality to ensure that methods, deadlines, and standards have been met, and prioritize the workload. v. Ability to effectively communicate goals, objectives, and focused initiatives to an interdisciplinary team, specialized clinical program, or subsection, as well as guide the team members on work methods, practices, standards, and procedures. vi. Knowledge of regulatory requirements, interdisciplinary structure, and organizational structure to serve as a liaison between specialty care and other programs that would affect coordination of care, healthcare access, program evaluation, assessment, and planning future needs. vii. Skill in employing recognized leadership and managerial methods and strategies, including interpersonal relations and conflict resolution in the management of employees, team leaders, and managers. References: VA Handbook 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G60, dated June 7, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged walking or standing, bending, twisting and moderately heavy lifting or moving of equipment, positioning severely disabled patients and assisting patients in ambulation and with wheelchair mobility. The work requires specific, common physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity, as well as skill and ability in recreation and leisure activities, maneuvering wheelchairs and driving wheelchair accessible vehicles. The work is primarily very active in nature with some sedentary work involved when performing administrative tasks. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.