Recreation Therapist - EDRP - RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Function with independent judgment to administer and interpret recreation therapy assessments and utilize clinical competencies to develop unconventional assessments and interview approaches to effectively elicit information
• Conduct - analyze - interpret - and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive - sensory - social - effective - physical - and leisure)
• Incorporate the four-step process of assessment - planning - implementation - and evaluation of services delivered by 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
• Provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher level supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision
• Review recreation therapy consults and conduct comprehensive evaluations
• Based upon 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
• 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
• Exercise resourcefulness 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
• Monitor intervention plans for effectiveness - make modifications as needed
• Determine the effectiveness of protocols - modalities - and programs for targeted groups through quantitative analysis and identifying potential risks and needs adaptive interventions to facilitate improved biopsychosocial well-being
• 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
• Conduct discharge analysis and planning for community needs

Requirements

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 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: Required Certification - Recreation Therapist
• Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC
• 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: 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)
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English - as required by 38 U.S.C.7403(f)

Qualifications

• Grade Determinations: Recreation Therapist - GS-11
• 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 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation - leisure - and biopsychosocial functional deficits
• Preferred Experience: Experience working with Adult population Experience working with Mental Health population Experience working in a residential rehabilitation setting

Skills

Skills not specified

Benefits

N/A

Pay

N/A

Schedule

Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm required to work some holidays and weekends