Recreation Therapist

Summary This Recreation Therapist position is in Sensory and Physical Rehabilitation Services (SPRS) at the VA Maine Healthcare Systems - located at the Augusta - ME location. 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: 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)English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English - as required by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)Education: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist - creative arts therapist (art) - creative arts therapist (dance/movement) - creative arts therapist (drama) - and creative arts therapist (music): Recreation Therapist: 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 recreationThe 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 NCTRCIf hired under this education - the certification cannot be waivedCertification: Recreation Therapist: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRCIf hired under using a degree other than recreation - certification cannot be waivedException: Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants - who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for registration and/or certification - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation or creative arts therapist - under the authority of 38 U.S.C.7405(c)(2)(B) - for a period not to exceed two yearsApplicants who fail to obtain registration and/or certification during this temporary full-time appointment may be terminatedThe exception only applies to positions at the GS-07 and GS-09 levelFor grade levels at or above the full performance level - the candidate must be registered and/or certifiedGrandfathering ProvisionAll persons employed in VHA as a recreation or creative arts therapist - on the effective date of this qualification standard (07/19/2019) - 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***See Education for more informationGrade Requirements: Creditable Experience Knowledge of Current Professional Recreation Therapy or Creative Arts Therapy Practices: 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 practicesEvidence of such experience includes private practice - U.S. military services - local/state/federal government organizations - for profit/non-profit organizations - health care - or educational facilitiesQuality of Experience: Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to the next lower grade levelExperience satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice - which may be paid or non-paid employment as a recreation or creative arts therapistGrade Determinations: Recreation Therapist - GS-07: Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirementsRecreation Therapist - GS-09: Experience/Education: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level - or a master's degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required one year of professional recreation therapist experienceDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patientKnowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations - to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care - and environmental maintenanceAbility to effectively communicate and educate patients - families - caregivers - and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment processKnowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventionsRecreation Therapist - GS-11: Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade levelDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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 techniquesKnowledge to independently interpret provider referrals and consultsand apply all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and the environment of careSkill 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 processSkill 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 functionSkill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventionsKnowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation - leisure - and biopsychosocial functional deficitsReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11Physical Requirements: The work requires frequent stooping - bending - walking - handling of wheelchairs and lifting in conjunction with treatment of patientsAt times - there may be undue heavy lifting due to unforeseen circumstances such as preventing a patient from fallingDexterity and skill in safe machinery techniques are requiredSee VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Duties The Recreation Therapist (RT) provides evaluation and treatment that promotes the prevention - remediation - and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunctionThe RT administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals developed in the evaluation of the patientThe duties and responsibilities of this position are carried out within the medical center and the community including various clinical - administrative - and patient care areas associated with SPRSMajor duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Administers - scores - or interprets a variety of creative and motor skills testsEvaluates the assigned veteran's mental - emotional - social - and physical capabilities to determine their needs in recreation therapyAdministers mental and physical tests for those with severe or multiple diagnosesMaintains professional competencies in testing procedures and practices and introduces new methods as appropriateGuides recreation therapy assistants in observational skills as they informally assess and reassess Veteran's in their careUses effective interviewing techniques to obtain objective and information pertaining to the Veteran's individual interests and aptitudesObserves the Veteran during trial assignments to confirm initial assessmentCoordinates the overall treatment plan with the treatment team and Veteran's family/caregiver to provide a program that focuses on treatment goalsServes as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team recommending treatment objectivesPlans various activities directed towards achieving such therapeutic objectivesProvides the equipment - materials - instruction - encouragement - or counseling necessary to promote a positive and therapeutic activityCoordinates a wide range of activities with other services in the development of appropriate treatment programsDocuments the treatment rendered and the Veteran's progress and response to treatment in the medical recordWork Schedule: Full-TimeMonday - Friday: 8:00am-4:30pm with occasional weekend/holidaysTelework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: PDF04465 - PDF04466 - and PDF03110 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not Required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted ServiceThis position is not a Bargaining Unit positionNarrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointmentThis position is covered by locality-based comparability payThe incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC'sIncomplete applications will not be considered.