The Pathways Internship Program allows students to join VA in career positions that emphasize long-term training and development. This is NOT a clinical or professional paid internship; hours worked cannot be applied to professional accrediting bodies for professional/clinical internship hours and degrees. Populations this position serves include general Mental Health populations, Veterans admitted to the Acute Psychiatric Unit, and Veterans residing in the Community Living Center.

Duties

This position is being filled in the Miami VA's Recreation & Creative Arts Therapy Department under MH&BS through the Pathways Internship Program. The program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with paid work opportunities in agencies to explore Federal careers while still in school. The Internship provides managers a ready source of student employees and potential permanent employees upon completion of the program requirements. It also provides the student with work experience directly related to the curriculum studies or career goals while offering eligibility for non-competitive conversion to permanent employment upon completion. This is NOT a clinical or professional paid internship; hours worked cannot be applied to professional accrediting bodies for professional/clinical internship hours and degrees. Populations this position serves include general Mental Health populations, Veterans admitted to the Acute Psychiatric Unit, and Veterans residing in the Community Living Center. For more information on Internship opportunities within the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit: https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/pathways-internship-program/. Major Duties: Populations this position serves include general Mental Health populations, Veterans admitted to the Acute Psychiatric Unit, and Veterans residing in the Community Living Center. Evaluates the history, interest, aptitudes, and skills of patient/resident by interviews, inventories, test and measurements to diminish emotional stress, provide a sense of achievement, channel energies and interests into acceptable forms of behavior, aid physical and mental rehabilitation, and promote successful community life. Plans and carries out therapeutic recreation/music activities for clients throughout the Medical Center. Coordinates a range of activities with volunteer or community groups in the development of appropriate activities for treatment. Applies standardized assessment as approved by the clinical supervisor in answer to a written or oral prescription from the unit staff (physician, nurse, social worker). Chooses from established programs with the assistance of the clinical supervisor the program that most appropriately meets the extended needs of the client. Maintains daily records of patient attendance and participation in recreation/music therapy activities and will maintain other needed information for patient/resident/service reports. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Part-time, 20 hours per week. Must work weekends, afternoons/weekends, federal and non-federal holidays. Work schedule varies, as school course schedule takes priority.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/31/2023. Internship Program: To be eligible, applicants must be accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis as defined by the institution in which you are enrolled. You may qualify based on education and/or experience as described below: GS-4 Minimum Requirements: Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree. GS-5 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Reviews, complies and organizes patient information; Assists in implementation of treatment plans; Assists therapists in carrying out special therapeutic activities; Maintain equipment for patients; Maintaining records of services. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Bachelor's Degree or 4 full years of post-high school education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond an Associate's Degree. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Psychological AssessmentPsychologyTechnical CompetenceTherapy and Counseling Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Physical Requirements: The work requires the ability to move about the various areas of the Medical Center in order to carry out the RT/MT mission. Light lifting and transport of materials is required in the provision of treatment programs.

Education

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 Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1201 Northwest 16th Street Miami, FL 33125 US
• Name: Caitlin Sprayberry
• Phone: 901-410-7119
• Email: [email protected]