The Recreation Therapist is assigned to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS) at the Eastern Colorado Health Care System Rocky Mountain Regional (RMR) VA Medical Center. Patient care is conducted not only at RMR but also outlying Clinic Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) and in the community.

Duties

Evaluates and establishes goals based on evaluation findings and independently develops best practice and evidence-based treatment interventions across multiple areas of practice. Implements and modifies as necessary treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimum outcomes. The Recreation Therapist is expected to perform documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and manages timely closure of consults and ensures appropriate note completion and other reports as needed. Independently interprets provider referrals and consults; and applies all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. 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 as assigned or needed. 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. Demonstrates ability and competency in treating patients that range in age from young adult to geriatric who may experience complex medical or mental health issues. Initiates ordering specific and appropriate leisure/recreation resources use of patient treatment needs and procurement process. Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Discharge analysis and planning is conducted for community needs. Attends and participates in required staff meetings. Presents in-services as needed or directed. Carries out other job-related activities, special assignments, and duty locations as assigned by supervisor. The Recreation Therapist maintains appropriate professional boundaries. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 9:00AM- 5:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-55859-O, 554-55860-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. Grade Determinations: Recreation Therapist, GS-7 (a) Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignment. Employees at this level serve in an entry level position as a recreation therapist. They work under the direct supervision of a recreation or creative arts therapist, at or above the full-performance level, or a designated supervisor in a clinical environment. Employees have knowledge of their respective discipline, and work with guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff. Established treatment procedures are substantially adapted and applied for acutely ill patients. Employees at this level would not be assigned work at a community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC), unless supervision is on site. 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: 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 (a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged walking or standing, bending, twisting and moderately heavy lifting or moving of equipment, positioning severely disabled patients and assisting patients in ambulation and with wheelchair mobility. The work requires specific, common physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity, as well as skill and ability in recreation and leisure activities, maneuvering wheelchairs and driving wheelchair accessible vehicles. The work is primarily very active in nature with some sedentary work involved when performing administrative tasks.

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 Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: Rodney Riggleman
• Phone: (210) 980-9493
• Email: [email protected]