The Recreation Therapist is assigned to Pain Management and Rehabilitation Service at the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System in the Community Living Center (CLC), including Palliative and Hospice Care, Dementia Care, Physical Rehabilitation, acute and long term residential Mental Health, Outpatient Mental Health Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC), and Substance Abuse Rehabilitation and Recovery Treatment Program (SARRTP).

Duties

Major duties and responsibilities include: Clinical: Evaluates, establishes goals based on evaluation findings, and develops treatment interventions. 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, NEPEC 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 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. The incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, and conducting a complex therapeutic Recreation Therapy program that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and behavioral limitations, communicative disorders, and cognitive deficits for adult veterans of all ages. This program requires a variety of knowledge and skill in providing therapeutic/self-directed Recreation Therapy for patients with varied diagnoses and age specific considerations, which may include psychological, psychiatric, and chronic/acute medical problems. The programs will be varied to include modalities for both individuals and groups with specific interventions to reach the best treatment outcome for the veteran. The incumbent has the responsibility to administer interventions utilizing program adaptations in accordance with the interdisciplinary treatment plans and predetermined treatment goals. The incumbent will provide direct 1:1 treatment and services that require professional judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical skills. The incumbent provides information and referral services to various community services, as appropriate. The incumbent participates in program planning and the development of working relationships with community and voluntary agencies and resources. Maintains accurate statistics and reports, as required, within specific deadlines. Administration: Adheres with Health Care System policies and procedures. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy. Participates in the evaluation of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery. Fosters and maintains a safe treatment area. Promotes effective communication with all veterans, caregivers, treatment team members, Health Care System staff and community partners and stakeholders. Education: Maintains professional competence through participation in appropriate continuing education opportunities, including conferences, webinars, workshops, presentations, and additional trainings. Assists in teaching and providing learning experiences for Recreation Therapy clinical interns as required. Participates in staff orientation, successfully completes Health Care System assigned mandatory trainings, and in-service opportunities. Deliver treatment in compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) accrediting agencies and VHA directives. Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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: 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); 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. 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, GS-07 Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Recreation Therapist, GS-09 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 (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate 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 Recreation Therapist, GS-11 Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/111 PART II APPENDIX G60. RECREATION AND CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD 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-07 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The Recreation Therapist must be able to participate in recreation therapy programming which may be physical in nature. The incumbent works in various environments providing direct patient care. The environments may include office, hospital, automobile, community institutions and residences both indoors and outdoors in various recreation areas and facilities. The physical demand and intensity upon the incumbent will be dependent upon the specific intervention and location in which it is provided. Physical requirements will vary daily.

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 Northern Indiana HCS 1700 East 38th Street Marion, IN 46953 US
• Name: Katrina Majors
• Phone: 443-421-5813
• Email: [email protected]