"Alerted.org

Summary The Recreation Therapist is assigned to the Recreation Therapy Section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at the Fayetteville VAMC. The incumbent is responsible for application of a knowledge of concepts, principles, and practices of Recreation Therapy to treat the physical, mental, emotional, biopsychosocial, and leisure needs of patients. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Responsibilities MAJOR DUTIES Adapts assessment tools and treatment interventions to address the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities of patients. She/he demonstrates the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of unconventional methods and techniques as they relate to recreation therapy. Independently interprets 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. Uses inventories, tests, measurements, and interviews to evaluate the history, interests, aptitudes, and skills of veterans. Interviews and Observes Veterans to Assess Aptitudes and Interest Effectively communicates with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals in a clear concise manner to facilitate the interdisciplinary treatment process. Uses effective interviewing techniques to obtain objective information pertaining to the veteran's interests and aptitudes. Observes the patient during trial assignments to confirm interpretation of initial assessment interviews for patients with severe or multiple diagnoses that require unconventional approaches to treatments and to revise effective methods and procedures for intervention. Exhibits sensitivity to patients' needs and tolerances during the interview process to minimize fears and anxieties. Uses therapeutic forms of encouragement as well as discipline or correction when necessary to hold the patient accountable for behaviors. Develops treatment plans using patients' physician orders (where indicated), nursing assessments, and physical and occupational evaluations/plans of care. Develops short-term and long-term goals and objectives with each patient in the program. Coordinates the overall treatment plan with the patient, treatment team, and patient's family/caregiver to provide a program that focuses on treatment goals. Team Work and Effective Treatment Planning Incumbent is assigned to a specific patient treatment unit. She or he serves as an active member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team recommending treatment interventions and objectives. Independently utilizes 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. Plans various activities directed towards achieving such therapeutic objectives to aid physical and mental rehabilitation, diminish emotional stress, provide a sense of achievement, channel energies and interests, and promote successful community reentry. Plans various activities directed towards achieving the above therapeutic objectives, taking an active role in the establishment of new programs or activities to meet program objectives. Integrates Recreation Therapy into overall team treatment plans, coordinates a wide range of activities with other services in the development of appropriate patient treatment programs, modifies techniques and develops new approaches to ensure the realization of patient treatment goals, develops criteria for the Recreation Therapy's quality management, evaluates planning practices and processes and facilitates improvement, and approves treatment plans with unusual or unique treatment objectives or activities. Administers, Evaluates, and Adjusts Treatment Utilizes the Recreation Therapy modality with individual/groups of patients having physical, emotional, and social disabilities. Implements therapy activities, and provides the equipment, materials, instruction, encouragement, and/or counseling necessary to promote a positive and therapeutic environment. Administers treatment to veterans with multiple or severe conditions and documents the treatment rendered, the veteran's progress and response to treatment in the medical record. Administers sports and physical activity as a recreation therapy intervention to improve function. Administer therapeutic activities in conjunction with skilled physical and occupational therapy plans of care that strengthen debilitated muscles resulting from such conditions as advanced age, prolonged bed rest, amputation, stroke, fractures, wound care, and joint replacement. Assembles pre-evaluation data, interprets medical records information, reviews patients' progress, introduces new or more challenging activities, or adjusts activities to a lesser challenge as the circumstances dictate. Discusses progress with treatment team, suggests adjustments to activities based on sound professional judgement. Performs regular assessments and leisure diagnostic evaluations to determine appropriate treatment in conjunction with the interdisciplinary treatment team and physician. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:30pm Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements 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 trial period. 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 Qualifications BASIC REQUIREMENTS. a. 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)). b. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). c. Education. The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist: (1) 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 (1) Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 4b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived. (2) 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. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a recreation or creative arts therapist, on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including positive education, and registration and/or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Professional Recreation Therapy. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (also referred to as "clinical competencies") associated with current professional recreation or creative arts therapy practices. (2) Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to the next lower grade level. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice, which may be paid or non-paid employment as a recreation or creative arts therapist. Recreation Therapist, GS-11 (a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. (b) 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). 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 polytrauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), spinal cord injury (SCI), substance use disorder/addictions, serious mental illness (SMI), and hospice/palliative care requirements. They provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision. They review recreation therapy consults and conduct comprehensive evaluations. Based upon the assessment data, and in collaboration with other stakeholders, the therapist develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration, and treatment. They recommend adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Through the use of activity/task analysis, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic procedures, the therapist 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. Sophisticated techniques/strategies used to improve or support clinical outcomes may include, but are not limited to: developing positive patterns of behavior; relaxation and stress reduction; lifestyle alteration; social skills training; developing or improving (enhancing) self-esteem; developing and maintaining positive relationships; motor learning and training strategies; anger and pain management; identify risks; recovery support; lifestyle adjustment; conflict/problem resolution; adjustment to disability; and including coping with grief and loss. Resourcefulness is exercised in providing individualized, unique, effective methods and procedures when implementing 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i. 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. ii. 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. iii. 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. iv. 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. v. 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. Physical Requirements. The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures. Additional physical demands include participation in recreation and sports activities which are physical in nature, such as, but are not limited to, physical fitness activities, bowling, tandem cycling, kayaking, golf and racquetball. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.