The Recreation Therapist for the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHCS) is aligned under Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS). The incumbent will implement and evaluate a therapeutic program within the framework of the specific area that the therapist is assigned by the Recreation Therapy Program Coordinator who reports directly to the Chief of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service.

Duties

The Recreation Therapist's will work independently and develop, implement, and evaluate a therapeutic program within the framework of the specific area that the therapist is assigned by the Program Coordinator. This is a direct patient care position in which the incumbent is responsible for performing the work of a recreation therapist, which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities. The incumbent demonstrates competency, which qualifies him/her to perform patient evaluations and treatment procedures on patients with a variety of complex diagnoses and disabilities. The incumbent has skills in program development and administrative aspects of patient treatment and has knowledge and ability in diversified recreation therapy treatment services. The incumbent is responsible for developing, organizing, and administering recreation therapy programs to provide therapeutic interventions to patients. Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: The duties and responsibilities of the Recreation Therapist include but are not limited to the following: Patient Focus: The therapist respects all Veterans, their caregivers, and extended families by exhibiting sensitivity to their needs, tolerance, and individual differences including values, social backgrounds, and ethnic groups. The therapist effectively uses professional skills, objectively, and insight to respond constructively to both positive and negative reactions. The therapist communicates confidence in the patient's ability and facilitates therapeutic process and progress. The therapist maintains appropriate professional boundaries and provides appropriate recognition for growth. Assessment: The therapist serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment or palliative care team. The therapist conducts assessments using effective interviewing techniques and assessment instruments to obtain objectives and factual information pertaining to the veteran's interests, preferences, aptitudes, abilities, and clinical needs in recreation therapy. The therapist scores, evaluates, and interprets the assessment data and communicates the findings to the multi-disciplinary or palliative care team. Treatment Planning based upon assessment data, the therapist develops individualized treatment plans with therapeutic goals and objectives to resolve a patient's problems or develops as palliative care plan to respond to the effects of a terminal illness. The therapist develops a full range of therapeutic or palliative care for a wide variety of inpatient or outpatient clients. Treatment plans integrate specialized recreation therapy techniques within the total care plan for the patient. The therapist coordinates the overall plan with the treatment team or palliative care team and the patient's family or care giver. Develops and Provides Effective Clinical Interventions The therapist develops and provides effective clinical interventions that are consistent with the therapist's professional Scope of Practice, Standards of Care, and Professional Ethics. The therapist provides the necessary and/or adapted equipment, materials, instruction, encouragement, and motivation to successfully engage with each patient in the therapeutic process. The therapist uses proper judgment in determining specialized approaches, appropriate therapeutic modalities, and the appropriate interval of treatment in administering clinical interventions. The therapist manages difficult cases that may require unconventional applications to treatment and resourcefulness in devising effective methods and procedures and may counsel patients on the need for positive leisure lifestyle, constructive use of leisure time, coping skills, social interaction skills, and community leisure resources and services. Evaluates and Adjusts Treatment Plans and Intervention Strategies The therapist documents the treatment rendered and patient's progress in the medical record and discusses progress with the treatment team. The therapist regularly reviews patient progress and adapts or adjusts the treatment plan and intervention strategies, accordingly. Participates in Community, Hospital-wide and Departmental Programming The therapist schedules and conducts evening and weekend programming to support hospital-wide and/or departmental objectives. Has knowledge of and ability of Recreational Therapy protocols for Residential Treatment and to promote awareness of Recreational and Adaptive Sports Programs and the Paralympic Movement within the community. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday; 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Yes - as determined by the agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f). 3. 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. 4. 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. Exception. 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 years. Applicants who fail to obtain registration and/or certification during this temporary full-time appointment may be terminated. The exception only applies to positions at the GS-7 and GS-9 level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be registered and/or certified. Failure to Obtain Registration/Certification: In all cases, recreation and creative arts therapists must actively pursue meeting registration and/or certification requirements, starting from the date of appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unregistered and/or uncertified recreation or creative arts therapist with the written requirement to obtain registration/certification, the date by which the registration and/or certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming registered and/or certified by the deadline. Failure to become registered and/or certified within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation, and may result in termination of employment. 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. 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, GS-7 Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Recreation Therapist, GS-9 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 experience. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i. Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient. ii. Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance. iii. Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process. iv. Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. Recreation Therapist, GS-11 Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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 Preferred Experience: Experience in care Management; independent decision making. References: VA Handbook 5005/111, PART II, APPENDIX G60, RECREATION A,CR TIVE ARTS THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0638, June 7, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires 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; pushing or pulling heavy objects; leading or directing physical exercise. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures, as well as skill and ability in the therapist's creative arts discipline.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Las Vegas VA Medical Center 6900 North Pecos Road North Las Vegas, NV 89086 US
• Name: Rolane Jack
• Phone: 808-835-9634
• Email: [email protected]