The Recreation Therapist is assigned to Community Living Center (CLC) in Patient Care Service (PCS) VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS), Ann Arbor, MI. The Recreation Therapist provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient treatment services.

Duties

Clinical Duties: Completes comprehensive clinical recreational/leisure functional assessment. Develops comprehensive individualized goals and implements a treatment plan/care Plan; making adaptations and modifications as needed, to ensure optimum outcomes. Independently develops outcome-based, specific therapeutic recreation interventions. Frequently selects, adapts, and/or modifies recreation modalities/treatment in accordance with patient current abilities, goals and interests; modify techniques, develop new approaches as necessary to ensure the realization of patient treatment goals. Conduct discharge plans as needed. Recommend adaptations, modifications, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Utilize sophisticated techniques/strategies to improve or support clinical outcomes (which may include Complementary and Integrative Therapy interventions). Exercises resourcefulness is providing individualized, unique, effective methods and procedures when implementing therapeutic interventions. Perform documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports as needed. Uses Recreation Therapy expertise for direct service delivery to patients. Acts as a subject matter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals. Serves as Recreation Therapy representative on interdisciplinary teams, committees and meetings as assigned or needed. Communicating significant changes in Veteran's condition and/or treatment to the Provider and/or interdisciplinary treatment team. In consultation with patients, their families, and caregivers, Recreation Therapist shall educate as required regarding treatment interventions and goals, in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Researching recreation therapy best-practices, innovative approaches, adapted equipment, and pursuing the availability of state of the art technology. Administration: Adheres with Medical Center policies. Participates in the ordering and maintaining of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery. Participates in service specific policy development, grant writing, research, education and studies as applicable. Fosters and maintains a safe treatment area. Promotes effective communication with all patients, caregivers, treatment team members, Medical Center staff and community partners. Education: Maintains professional competence through participation in appropriate educational activities. Assists in teaching and providing learning experiences for Recreation Therapy clinical students and interns as required. Participates in staff orientation, successfully completes Medical Center assigned mandatory trainings, and in-service activities. Deliver treatment in compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) accrediting agencies and VHA directives. Work Schedule: 11:30am - 8:00pm, with rotating weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92992-0 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: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (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). Transcript with degree completion date must be uploaded in application. 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. Transcript with degree completion date must be uploaded in application. Certification: Current certification as a CTRS by the NCTRC. 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). Certification must be uploaded in application. 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 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: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient. Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance. Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process. 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 (GS-9). 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: 1-2 years of Recreation Therapist experience. References: VA Handbook 5005/111, Part 11, 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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing and reaching over head. Transferring objects and equipment may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or invasive procedures. 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 be able to drive a vehicle. A valid driver's license is required.

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 Ann Arbor VA Medical Center 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 US
• Name: Eric Earns
• Phone: (989) 397-4981
• Email: [email protected]