The Creative Arts Therapist (Drama) for the Montana VA is located within the Whole Health/CIH section of Primary Care Services. This is a direct patient care position in which the incumbent is responsible for performing the work of a creative arts therapist of drama, which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities. .

Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to emotion regulation; resolve traumatic memories; active meditation, build empathy and a sense of self-worth. Develop drama therapy programs, interventions and directives including materials selection that are appropriate to the needs, skills, and aptitudes of the patient to achieve therapeutic goals through engagement in the creative process. Supports engagement in and reflection of the art process and product through a drama therapy framework to develop specific skills attained through drama that may include increased independence, focus to task, sense of self-worth, coping skills, self-care and social skills. Established treatment procedures are substantially adapted and applied for patients who are acutely ill. Therapists at this level may be given general assignments in a program area. Identifies current community resources for discharge planning purposes. Develops and implements quality improvement systems as it relates internal and external regulatory requirements to include patient safety. Uses diagnostic coding and symptoms of diagnoses in the provision of drama therapy. Applies the creative process and the effect on the patients' cognitive, sensory, emotional, and physical states. Demonstrate and educate on the value of the creative process as a therapeutic tool. Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with professional boundaries that reflects a trusting, empathetic and respectful interaction. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Telework 3 + Days Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 436-58108-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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 requirement applies to the Creative Arts Therapist (Drama): A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a drama degree program approved by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA). OR A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a registered drama therapist (RDT). The RDT is granted by the NADTA and indicates that one has met the educational requirements and achieved competency in the practice of drama therapy. If hired under this education, the registration cannot be waived. Registration: Creative Arts Therapy (Drama) must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration as an RDT. If hired under paragraph 3b(4)(b), registration 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. Failure to Obtain Registration/Certification: In all cases, recreation and creative arts therapists must actively pursue meeting registration and/or certification requirements, starting from the date of appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unregistered and/or uncertified recreation or creative arts therapist with the written requirement to obtain registration/certification, the date by which the registration and/or certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming registered and/or certified by the deadline. Failure to become registered and/or certified within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation, and may result in termination of employment. Loss of Credential: A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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: Creative Arts Therapist (Drama), GS-9 Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: Employees at this level serve in an entry level position as a creative arts therapist (drama). Employees have knowledge of their respective discipline and work under direct guidance from a higher-level or supervisory staff. Established treatment procedures are substantially adapted and applied for patients who are acutely ill. Therapists at this level may be given general assignments in a program area. Creative Arts Therapist (Drama), GS-11 Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Skill in using clinical judgment and critical thinking skills in identifying potential risks, adapting interventions, or when modifying and developing new techniques for complex patients. Skill in applying evidence-based motivation techniques to develop and implement new approaches to treatment interventions, based on patient response to treatment in a manner that uses creative thinking and problem solving that goes beyond the typical diagnosis-based treatment pathways, to maximize clinical outcomes. Ability to demonstrate patient engagement in, and reflection of, the dramatic/theater process and product to develop and understand specific skills attained through drama, including but not limited to increased independence, sense of self-worth, coping skills, healthy living alternatives, and social skills. Ability to apply effective use of professional skill, objectivity, and insight to respond constructively to both positive and negative reactions and establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with professional boundaries to reflect trusting, empathetic, and respectful interactions. Ability to use drama/theater in providing opportunities to work through emotional disturbances within a safe environment for the patient to understand the symbolic expression of their theatrical product, process, and experience with the materials, as it relates to their recovery and wellness. Ability to communicate effectively through various communication techniques. Ability to develop unconventional assessment and interview approaches to gather clinical information about patients with severe or multiple diagnosis that require unconventional interview approaches and treatments to devise effective methods and approaches. Ability to use counseling skills to effectively conduct person-centered drama therapy sessions. References: Title 38 or Hybrid Title 38 Occupation official qualification standards of the position as stated in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G60. The full performance level of this vacancy is 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: Per VA handbook 5003/4, Functional Statements are to be reviewed, signed and dates as least every two years for accuracy of the duties and responsibilities, or as often as needed due to changing responsibilities. Functional Statements are required to be retained for two years. One copy should be given to the employee, one copy should be kept on file at the service level, and one copy should be kept on file by the servicing human resources office.

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 Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Kelli Ann Crumpton
• Phone: 720-369-1396
• Email: [email protected]