This position is in the Recreation & Creative Arts Therapy (RCAT) Service under the Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences Service of the Miami VA Medical Center. Basic assignment is to serve as and undergraduate or Graduate Student/Recreation Therapist/Creative Arts Therapist in the development and implementation of an RCAT Treatment Program to meet patient's needs. The program provides orientation, training, and familiarization with the work processes of Recreation Therapy/Creative Arts Therapy.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 4 years). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4-year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-5. At the GS-4 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-5. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. NOTE: This is a part-time position (20 hours/week). The salary listed represents full-time employment and will be pro-rated based on the actual number of hours worked each pay-period. Likewise, benefits and time-off accrual will also be prorated and based on your part-time work schedule. Major Duties: Under the direction of a Recreation Therapist/Creative Arts Therapist, the student completes a preliminary review examination of patient data, complies, and organizes patient information developing a patient profile to be used in assessing patient needs for therapy services. Incumbent assists the Therapist in the implementation of therapeutic recreation treatment plan for group or individual patients. Plans and carries out direct patient care activities in accordance with the individual and group treatment plans for the rehabilitation of patients with physical and psychiatric conditions. Such activities might include: social hours, exercises, arts& craft sessions, treatment outings in the community and others as requested. Supervises and provides education to patients on the effective use of the equipment to meet their treatment goals. Alert to physical signs of health problems of patients while engaged in recreational therapy activities to avoid mishaps. Assist Therapist on the development of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes long and short-term goals. Modifies treatment approaches indicated on a plan of care designed by the therapist or in response to acute changes in patient status. Coordinate treatment plan with other team members and performs appropriate test and techniques within knowledge and limits to help assign recreation therapist. Maintains treatment area, recognizing potential hazardous situations and notifies it for immediate correction. Checks conditions of machines before use and observes necessary precautions to maintain a healthy and safe environment. Reports noted deficiencies in service delivery and contribute with ideas to improve operations; and participate in information and outcome management activities. Provides patient care in which is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient. Performs all duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Part-Time Employment: Must work weekends, Federal and Non-Federal Holidays. May work afternoons/evenings. No overnight shifts. Flexible work schedule to accommodate school course schedule. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. Requirements for initial appointment: For GS-4: Possess a Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree. (The required education must lead to a bachelor's degree with specialization in or directly related to the field in which the student trainees will receive training on the job. The degree of specialization in this field must satisfy on graduation the specific educational requirements in the qualification standard for the corresponding two-grade interval positions.) OR For GS-4: Possess (a) Completion of 1 academic year of study and two periods of student trainee work experience; or (b) completion of 1½ academic years of study and one period of student trainee work experience. (This work experience must be documented in your resume.) OR For GS-5: Possess a completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field, student trainees may be reassigned or promoted in the appropriate target series to GS-5, if they meet the qualification requirements of the target occupation, including minimum educational requirements. NOTE: HOURS WORKED CANNOT BE COUNTED TOWARDS CLINICAL INTERNSHIP HOURS FOR CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR DEGREES. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Psychological AssessmentPsychologyTechnical CompetenceTherapy and Counseling Explanation of terms An academic year of undergraduate education is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in an accredited college or university. For purposes of this standard, a period of student trainee work experience is the equivalent of 2 months (320 hours) of full-time work experience. IMPORTANT: 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: Work requires physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. Prolonged standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking are regular. Moderate to heavy lifting (between 5-50 pounds) is required for assisting patients. Sitting is required for meetings, and administrative work. 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/.

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1201 Northwest 16th Street Miami, FL 33125 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]