The incumbent works in the Eastern Oklahoma VA Healthcare System, Behavioral Medicine Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. Program provides a wide range of therapeutic recreational treatment services to veteran's suffering from acute psychiatric illness. The incumbent serves as an independent therapist practitioner and provides recreational therapeutic services to veterans and their families. Incumbent also participates in the planning, designing, and implementing recreational therapy services.

Duties

VA Careers - Physical / Recreational Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major Duties include, but are not limited to the following: The incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, conducting, and supervising a comprehensive and complex Recreation Therapy Program that addresses the physical limitations, communicative disorders, cognitive deficits, social, emotional and/or behavioral reactions of young adult, middle adult, and geriatric veterans assigned to the program. The incumbent uses professional knowledge of recreational/social theories and functions to implement various programs for acutely mentally ill veterans. As the subject matter expert in recreation therapy, the incumbent oversees all recreational therapy functions and services within the Inpatient Psychiatric Program. The incumbent has the responsibility for administering interventions utilizing program adaptations, planned or spontaneous: to provide both interesting and therapeutic oriented Recreation Therapy activities to enhance the veteran's potential, in accordance with the interdisciplinary treatment plans and predetermined treatment goals. Incumbent evaluates all assigned veteran's mental, emotional, social, and physical capabilities to determine the veteran's current recreational and social needs. Incumbent administers, scores, and/or interprets a variety of creative, motor skills, and/or physical tests as needed to determine therapeutically based interventions to improve the veteran's overall functioning. Based on education and specialized training, the Recreation Therapist provides clinical services to special populations, including, but not limited to patients with a history of sexual trauma and combat PTSD as well as those with serious mental illness. Incumbent serves as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team to establish innovative procedures or activities to meet and exceed program objectives. Incumbent utilizes the recreation therapy modality with veterans and/or their families suffering from serious/chronic mental illness. Incumbent reviews veteran's progress, modifying treatment as circumstances dictate. Discusses progress with the multidisciplinary treatment team and suggests adjustments to activities based on sound professional judgment. The Recreation Therapist routinely contributes to the development of clinical programs, including policies and procedures. The Recreation Therapist may participate in the development/implementation or program evaluation tools, such as surveys and/or quality improvement activities. When assigned, he/she provides supervision/mentoring for students, interns, and volunteers, and may be required to supervise other employees in the program during the absence of the program director. . He/she may also serve as an educational resource for professional and community groups. DIRECT PATIENT CARE: The incumbent provides ongoing group/individual/family counseling and psycho education to mentally ill veterans on the inpatient psychiatric unit. Incumbent interacts with veterans on a daily basis in a group milieu environment, modeling appropriate behavioral skills. Incumbent incorporates sound clinical judgment on a moment-to-moment basis in a highly demanding clinical environment. Establishes ongoing rapport using reflective and active listening skills. Promotes ongoing social clinical techniques and interventions. The incumbent provides case management services that require the exercise of mature professional judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical skills. The incumbent functions as a highly valuable and effective member of a multidisciplinary treatment team consisting of, but not limited to, social work, psychology, physicians, nurses, and nutritional specialists. The incumbent conducts effective treatment planning, formulating effective goals, objectives and interventions in order to improve the functioning and quality of life of veterans and their families. DOCUMENTATION: Incumbent is thoroughly familiar with the use of the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) necessary for documenting treatment in the VA healthcare system. Documents appropriate content of patient contact information in a timely and accurate manner. Incumbent is able to gather necessary information in a concise manner and formulate appropriate treatment strategies. Familiar with and utilizes all rules governing confidentiality with charting information. Provides families with needed information on various mental illness signs and symptoms and teaches positive coping skills to both veterans and caregivers as necessary. Displays a warm, caring, empathic and supportive attitude. Work Schedule: FT, Monday through Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52772-O, 52771-O, 52770-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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: 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)). Education. The following education requirements apply to the Recreation Therapist. (a) 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, (b) 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. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. The private organization must deem such education at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Required Certification Recreation Therapist. 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations: Recreation Therapist, GS-7 Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Recreation Therapist, GS-9 (a) 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. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient. 2. Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance. 3. Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process. 4. Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. Recreation Therapist, GS-11 (a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. (b) certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. References: VA Handbook 5005/111, PART II, APPENDIX G60 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: Normal work of the position requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain, corrective lenses permitted), keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds). The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

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 Jack C Montgomery VA Medical Center 1011 Honor Heights Drive Muskogee, OK 74401 US
• Name: Phillip Narey
• Phone: 720-723-4833
• Email: [email protected]