Supervisory Recreation Therapist

Summary

The Supervisory Recreation Therapist is for the Martinsburg VA Medical Center - which is aligned under Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PR&RS). This position serves as the professional advisor for all recreation therapy and creative arts therapy clinical matters. The incumbent is primarily responsible for the supervision - organization and maintenance of all patient care areas that offer treatment services through the Recreation/Creative Arts Therapy Service (RT/CAT).

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
• 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 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-12 Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the GS-11 grade level
• Experience includes 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence
• Ability to balance multiple responsibilities - set priorities - delegate tasks - meet multiple deadlines - analyze organizational problems - and develop and implement effective solutions
• Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload - quality - performance - and productivity within the service
• Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees - team leaders - and managers
• Ability to use evidence-based practices - clinical practice guidelines in a professional area - and to guide the staff in applying these tools
• Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service
• Knowledge related to administrative functions such as fiscal - material supply - equipment management - and clinical and program management
• 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
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: The work requires extensive walking - standing - bending - pushing - and carrying of light and heavy recreation equipment to many areas of the Medical Center and in organizing the physical environment for various recreation projects - activities - and special events.
  
  

Duties

• Duties includes but are not limited to: Application of a knowledge of the concepts - principles - and practices of recreation/creative arts therapy - and the use of evidenced based recreational modalities to treat the physical - mental
• emotional
• and social needs of individual patients - groups of patients and families
• maintain or rehabilitate patients' physical and/or mental health
• or palliate symptoms related to terminal illness
• The occupation requires the application of professional medical rehabilitative - therapeutic and palliative principles based on a medical prescription or a medical referral - and the integration of recreation therapy or creative arts therapy within the total health care plan for the patient
• Responsible for coordinating - developing - implementing - and evaluating multiple rehabilitation program services provided by Recreation Therapy
• Responsible for developing and implementing a quality improvement program to include risk management - customer satisfaction - infection control - and survey regulatory preparation using a systematic approach - which assures the overall quality of Recreation Therapy
• Responsible for adherence to all provision of Equal Opportunity Program in accordance with Office of Personnel Management and Department of Veterans Affairs regulations and medical center guidelines
• Responsible for developing and completing the hiring process in coordination with the service chief for PM&RS
• The position is responsible for position facility leadership - creating all components of the recruitment packet for HR specialist to use for announcement - and conducting interviews
• Incumbent is responsible for all new projects and budgeting within the Recreation Therapy Service
• Incumbents manage all phases of team projects that involve a variety of disciplines
• Coordinates the compilation of necessary monthly and quarterly statistical reports such as DSS and other significant reports as requested
• Serves on special committees and tasks forces as designated by national VACO staff or the Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Other duties assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
• 8:00AM- 4:30PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 26975-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized