The position is located at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department. The recreation therapist adaptive sports coordinator has the responsibility for planning, organizing, and implementing a comprehensive recreational therapy program adaptive sports coordinator throughout the facility The incumbent provides a sports and wellness program for veterans using various adaptive sports, both recreational and competitive.

Duties

Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Creates and supports new and ongoing disabled sports and physical activity programs. Assists community-based programs or clubs in identification, recruitment, and training of disabled adults for continued rehabilitation treatment, personal leisure, and adaptive sports pursuits. Provides clinics and training sessions for disabled athletes and coaches. Preparation and management of program budget and funding strategies is necessary for involvement in local, regional, and national disabled sporting events, training, and competitions. Assists and travels nationwide with disabled athletes in professional and recreational disabled sports training programs, camps, and competitions designed for disabled athletes and coaches. Introduces potential athletes to the world of disabled sports and provide resources for transitioning to higher levels of competitive disabled sports if indicated. Assembles pre-evaluation data, interprets medical record information, reviews therapy prescriptions, and conducts cognitive and physical evaluations of patients to develop and implement an individualized sport or physical activity plan. Devises specific therapeutic interventions and routines to maintain or improve patient's general state of physical health or cognition. Develops sports or recreational activity programs for individuals with various types of disabilities, e.g., psychiatric diagnoses, post-traumatic stress disorder, aging & dementia, orthopedic conditions, amputation, spinal cord injury & other neurological disorders, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, and those with multiple diagnoses. The goals of sports and recreational activity interventions are to minimize cognitive and physical deterioration and achieve the highest level of function and independence. Interprets and administers physicians' recreation therapy disabled sports prescription/consult, schedules patient for sports evaluation and integrates sports and physical activity as recreation therapy intervention with other treatments from other disciplines to achieve the goals established for the patient. Teaches independent living skills, social interaction skills, adjustment to disability, coping strategies, mobility exercises, and cognitive retraining in a hands-on method when traveling to sporting events and/or participating in individual and team sports. Coordinates the overall sports and physical activity treatment plan with the treatment team and patient's family/caregiver to provide a physical activity regime which focuses on treatment goals and/or sports pursuits. Special emphasis is placed on minimizing further debilitation through cognitive retraining, reality orientation, positive attitudes, group dynamics, social interaction, conflict resolution, sportsmanship, and community reintegration. Develops psycho-social activities for coping with frustration, stress, anger hostility, the appropriate use of leisure time and improving social interaction skills. Proficient skill, tact and knowledge of psychiatric and for post-traumatic stress disorders and other disorders is necessary for the success of psychiatric rehabilitation through involvement in adaptive sports. Observes the disabled athlete participating in an adaptive sports and fitness program for signs of subtle physical or cognitive changes which affect motivation and cooperation. Inputs data into hospital computer medical record and scheduling system, and updates records daily to reflect status of patients. Prepares and submits initial evaluation, ongoing re-evaluation, and discharge notes as per policy that cover the patient's entire course of treatment. The vast majority of the sports and fitness programs occur in the athlete's natural environment away from the medical center through local community reintegration interventions and long-distance trips. Operates as the athlete's primary liaison between the medical center and the community. Responsible for presenting to other health professionals on Recreation Therapy aspects of rehabilitation and evaluation as it relates to the results of participation in a disabled sports and fitness program. Serve as the point of contact for VA National Rehab Events. Recruit new novices each year. Organizes all travel for staff and veterans attending the national rehab events. Works with Voluntary Services to assure the need for donations to support attendance to the games. Assist in training. leading and evaluating recreational therapists, recreational therapy assistants, interns, and students. Other duties as assigned by supervisor. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday- Friday; 08:00am-04:30pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 92008-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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 and Experience: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: (1) 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, (2) 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. 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: 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, the candidate must demonstrate the all following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of management/administration principles, procedures, and practice, which includes supervision, consultation, negotiation, mediation, and monitoring. Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within services. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. (C)Assignment : For all assignments above the full-performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. The program coordinator is generally found in complexity level 1 facilities, or in facilities of lesser complexity levels where large affiliate network services are found. This assignment requires administrative direction and decision-making skills, interagency coordination of care, program evaluation and analysis, budgetary controls, and planning. The program coordinator has overall responsibility for planning,assessing, and evaluating programs to ensure proper coordination between care delivered by the program and overall delivery of healthcare within the facility. They are responsible for daily program operations, developing policies and procedures, and preparing reports and statistics for facility, Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), and national use. They assist with special administrative projects which include, but are not limited to: strategic planning, performance improvement plans, and coordination and training of interdisciplinary team members. They are responsible for the overall technical and administrative oversight for operations within their program area, including coordination of clinical assignments for multiple professionals comprising of an interdisciplinary team. They may provide treatment to patients in a specialty program, as well as services in more complex and unconventional cases. The program coordinator may or may not have supervisory responsibilities but is responsible for broad program management. They ensure orientation and competency assessment of assigned staff and maintain interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals. They plan and develop policies, procedures, and goals. They interpret, implement, and educate staff on applicable VHA directives, handbooks, or other policies. When performing as a supervisor at this grade level, duties include: planning and scheduling work; assigning and evaluating work of subordinate staff; resolving problems which may interfere with patient assessment or treatment; accepting, amending, or rejecting completed work; appraising performance and recommending performance standards, assessing competency levels, ratings and awards, and disciplinary actions when appropriate; approving leave; identifying continuing education and training needs; and assigning delineated clinical privileges. References: VA Handbook 5005/111 PART II, Appendix G60 dated June 7, 2019. Preferred Experience: Experience with organizing adaptive sports outings, scheduling with vendors and veterans. Minimum 3 years experience with adaptive sports. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting and carrying (45+ lbs); Moderate carrying (44 lbs.); straight pulling (

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript (official or unofficial) must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. A screenshot of your classes or a copy of your diploma are not an acceptable substitute for your transcript and will not be used in qualifying.

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.

Contacts

• Address John D Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4646 John R Street Detroit, MI 48201 US
• Name: Blandine King
• Phone: 313-204-6578
• Email: [email protected]