Recreation Therapy is designed for patients who have medical, mental health, and/or substance use barriers and can participate in leisure activities independently but fail to do so as a result of these barriers. Veterans may experience difficulties in areas of mobility, concentration, orientation, recall, communication, recognition of social cues, appropriate social engagement, and overall function.

Duties

Include but are not limited to: The incumbent uses effective interviewing techniques to obtain objective and factual information pertaining to the Veteran's interests and aptitudes. The incumbent uses individualized measures to develop goals for each Veteran and to plan activities that meet their identified needs and interests. The incumbent will design and implement treatment activities and recreation programs in both clinical and community settings to meet the assessed needs of Veterans, utilizing appropriate motivational and leadership approaches. Such activities include Movies, pottery, bingo, special events, bowling, golf, card games, frequent off station trips, community events, various tournaments, and outdoor activities (fishing, hiking, camping, etc.). Weekend and evening work may be required in this position. The incumbent is responsible for developing, organizing, and administering Recreation Therapy programs and providing therapeutic treatment to Veterans. The incumbent is part of a multidisciplinary team within HUD-VASH. The incumbent will apply various recreational activities to improve, restore, and maintain the physical, psychological, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning of Veterans. The incumbent helps Veterans develop the skills needed to support functional independence for community living and to promote a higher quality of life. Some tasks used to accomplish these goals include but are not limited to: - Devise specific activities and modalities to maintain or promote optimal leisure functioning. - Interpret clinical recommendations to independently formulate a treatment plan that meets prescribed goals. - Employ therapeutic objectives. - Manage complex cases involving multiple diagnoses and/or significant medical complications. - Schedule Veterans for treatment and integrate Recreation Therapy activities with other treatments to achieve established goals. - Plan various activities directed towards achieving such therapeutic objects as diminishing emotional stress, providing a sense of achievement, channeling energies, and interests, aiding physical and mental rehabilitation, and promoting successful community re-entry. - Plan a full range of graduated treatment therapy for a wide variety of Veterans. - Develop treatment goals directed at areas such as sensory integration, leisure skills, ambulation, reality orientation, and treatment of psychosocial barriers such as social anxiety. - Plan and provide diverse recreational activities and services that occur on a time-limited or ongoing basis. - Integrate specialized therapy techniques. - Utilize the recreation therapy modality with individuals and groups. - Provide the equipment, materials, instruction, encouragement, and counseling necessary to promote positive therapeutic activities. - Administer adaptive equipment or activities to accommodate Veterans with disabilities and to maintain safety. - Use specialized approaches when selecting treatment activities for Veterans experiencing extreme emotional distress, muscular dysfunction, psychosocial dysfunction, or other physical, mental, emotional, and/or social barriers. - Review patient progress and introduce new or more challenging activities when clinically indicated. - Discuss progress and treatment goals with multidisciplinary team and incorporate feedback when appropriate. - Conduct ongoing evaluations and modify, redirect, adjust, or augment therapeutic interventions when needed. The incumbent is responsible for managing the resources assigned to their program. This may include managing a budget and oversight of assigned recreational space. The incumbent will serve as a purchase card holder and must maintain competencies in this area including completion of all required trainings. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 436-58906-0, 436-58907-0, 436-58908-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: 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. 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. 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. In addition to the above, candidates must also meet the following requirements: GS-07 Recreation Therapist: Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-09 Recreation Therapist: Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-07), 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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. iv. Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. GS-11 Recreation Therapist: Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-09). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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, Part II, Appendix G60, Recreation and Creative Arts Therapist Qualification Standards, Dated June 7, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is a 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Luis Fuentes Jr.
• Phone: 801-582-1565 X4405
• Email: [email protected]