The primary purpose is to perform Recreation Therapy functions in the provision of Recreational Therapy (RT) services to patients in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS), G.V. Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center. The occupation requires the application of professional medical rehabilitative, therapeutic and palliative principles based on a medical prescription, medical referral and or the integration of recreational therapy within the total health care plan for the patient.

Duties

The duties of the Recreation Therapist include, but are not limited to: Clinical responsibilities: Evaluates, establishes goals based on evaluation findings, and develops treatment interventions. Implements and modifies as necessary treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimum outcomes. The Recreation Therapist is expected to perform documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports as needed. Uses Recreation Therapy expertise for direct service delivery to patients. Acts as a subject matter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals. Serves as Recreation Therapy representative on interdisciplinary teams as assigned or needed. In consultation with patients, their families, and caregivers, Recreation Therapist shall educate as required regarding treatment interventions and goals, in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Demonstrates ability and competency in treating patients that range in age from young adult to geriatric who may experience complex medical or mental health issues. The incumbent is responsible for developing, organizing and administering Recreation programs to provide therapeutic treatment to patients in various areas as assigned, e.g., Mental Health Services, the Jackson based Community Living Center; Palliative Care, and other patient care areas as needed. The incumbent will develop Recreation Therapy treatment plans to address specific needs identified in the assessment process. The format and content of all treatment plans must conform to JCAHO, NCTRC, ATRA and Professional Standards of Practice. Treatment plans will include but not be limited to; goals, measurable behavioral objectives, therapeutic process (intervention strategies), time frames for achievement and evaluation methodologies. The therapist attends interdisciplinary team meetings and works closely with physicians and other interdisciplinary team members to develop overall care plans which maximize independent functioning and meet the total health care needs of the patients. Planning and Implementation of Treatment Strategies. Administrative responsibilities: Adheres with Medical Center policies. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy. Participates in the evaluation of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery. Fosters and maintains a safe treatment area. Promotes effective communication with all patients, caregivers, treatment team members, Medical Center staff and community partners. The therapist schedules and conducts activities including day, evening and weekend programming to support hospital-wide and /or departmental objectives. Maintains accurate workload records and submits requests for supplies, equipment, transportation and other support essential to the provision of quality patient treatment in assigned bed sections/program. Submits funding justification to the immediate supervisor for monthly budget allocations and effectively manages and utilizes approved funds. Participates actively in Therapeutic Recreation Service and Performance Improvement programs, including development of process and outcome-based indicators, reviewing/evaluating data and assisting with indicated action plans to enhance the quality and appropriateness of patient care. Therapist must be able to orientate Recreation assistants, interdisciplinary team members, patients, students and volunteers regarding recreation therapy as a treatment modality and explain theoretical and practical aspects of the profession to various groups and individuals within the medical center and community. Maintains professional competence through participation in appropriate educational activities. Assists in teaching and providing learning experiences for Recreation Therapy clinical interns as required. Participates in staff orientation, successfully completes Medical Center assigned mandatory trainings, and in-service activities. Deliver treatment in compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) accrediting agencies and VHA directives. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 586-01199A 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Education. Recreation Therapist: 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. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. The private organization must deem such education at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Certification. Required Certification: Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired with a bachelor's degree or higher in any field from an accredited college or university, approved by the NCTRC and the applicant is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS), certification cannot be waived. Grade Determination, Recreation Therapist, 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, in their resumes, all of the following KSAs: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. 6. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits. Preferred Experience: 1. Minimal of 1 year experience in a long term/healthcare setting. 2. Proficient in electronic documentation systems. References: VA Handbook 5005/111 June 7, 2019 PART II APPENDIX G60 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. 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.

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 GV Sonny Montgomery VAMC 1500 East Woodrow Wilson Drive Jackson, MS 39216 US
• Name: Richard Cohen
• Phone: 504-422-9343
• Email: [email protected]