The Recreation Therapy Supervisor is a working supervisor with both administrative and clinical responsibilities. This position is responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the Recreation Therapy services delivered to the patients under his/her supervision and care. This position is located in the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line at the MEDVAMC, a complexity level 1a facility. Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees should apply under CBST-12231174-24-LD.

Duties

The duties of the Supervisory Recreation Therapist in Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line Medical Service include but are not limited to. The Recreation Therapist develops, organizes, and administers Recreation Therapy programs to provide treatment that meets the physical, mental, social, and chronological maturations and/or emotional needs of adult and geriatric patients in various areas, e.g., Transitional Care Center, spinal cord injury, rehabilitation, general medicine and surgery, and assorted mental health programs. This position manages the delivery of Recreation Therapy services to Veterans with a wide variety of multiple and complex diagnoses. Appropriately plans work operations for recreation therapy programs, sets priorities, delegates tasks, solves problems related to work performed in the program, and is accountable for the quality, performance, timeliness, and productivity of the Recreation Therapy services provided. The supervisory Recreation Therapist provides clinical guidance to staff recreation therapists and recreation therapy assistants in the delivery of recreation therapy services. This involves careful planning, coordination, and continuous assessment to guarantee the well-being and progress of the veteran involved in the Recreation Therapy Program. Works effectively as part of the therapy team to provide effective and efficient recreation therapy services to the assigned patient group. Also, effectively initiates assisting the larger team of co-workers in providing timely recreation therapy services as indicated. Determines applicable competencies and assesses the competency of assigned staff within established guidelines. Provides guidance to staff regarding improvement of knowledge and skills needed to improve competencies. Analyze clinically appropriate data to effectively optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the program. Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, and evaluates program to ensure methods, deadlines, quality and quantity standards are met. Demonstrates knowledge and skill in effective management and administration in areas of supervision, consultation, negotiation, and monitoring of program elements and subordinates. Independently assembles pre-evaluation data, interprets medical record information, reviews therapy prescriptions and conducts cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure evaluations of the patient in order to develop and implement a comprehensive treatment plan. Develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration, and treatment. Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Utilizes behavioral interventions and therapeutic procedures designed to reduce stress, anxiety, and maladaptive behaviors, recover basic motor functioning, reasoning abilities, build confidence, and develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary to re-enter the community in a productive manner. Independently interprets provider referrals and consults and applies health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. Participates in team conferences, rounds, discharge planning meetings, specialty clinics, other assigned medical meetings. Additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) occasional weekend as needed Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-01366-F 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. Education The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist. Recreation Therapist (a) 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, (b) 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 Grade Determinations: GS-12 (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 provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence. ii. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions. iii. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service. iv. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. v. Ability to use evidence-based practices, clinical practice guidelines in a professional area, and to guide the staff in applying these tools. vi. Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service. vii. Knowledge related to administrative functions such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management. Preferred Experience: Prefer supervisory experience leading a group of recreation therapist and assistants. References: VA Handbook 5005/111, Part II Appendix G60, Recreational Therapist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services).

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 Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center 2002 Holcombe Boulevard Houston, TX 77030 US
• Name: Latrice Dean
• Phone: 501-257-1752
• Email: [email protected]