This position will serve both the residents and outpatients of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. Work assignment may change based on the needs of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PMRS) and the Medical Center. The primary purpose of this position is to provide recreation therapy activities for patients throughout the Medical Center.

Duties

Recreation Therapists perform a wide variety of interventions, which contribute to the overall health of Veterans such as but not limited to: Plan and carry out recreation therapy activities for patients throughout the Medical Center and will evaluate the history, interest, aptitude, and skills of patients to develop appropriate individual treatment plans. The incumbent will serve as a representative of his/her division on patient treatment units with the responsibility for ensuring that patient treatment objectives are consistent with his/her overall treatment process. The incumbent will provide for a sense of achievement, channeling energies into acceptable forms of behavior, helping reduce emotional stress, etc. and will develop treatment objectives and subsequent treatment plans and maintain the flexibility necessary to adapt those plans to the patient's emotional condition and/or physical limitations. This position may be responsible for the Vet Work Study students, practicum students and WOC students. The therapist serves as a representative to the Medical Center in the training of WOC Affiliation Clinical Internship Program and will provide guidance, teach, supervise, and routinely evaluate orally and in writing all students assigned. The therapist will be responsible for using various community resources in treating patients. He/she will be responsible for arranging meals, transportation, and other details involving off station treatment programs. He/she is required to recruit and utilize volunteer assistance when necessary and must use good judgment and tact when confronted with problems arising from contact between people in the community and the patients. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:45am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60433-F 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. Education: (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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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 Determination: Grade 11:(a) Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-9).(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. (c) Assignment. Employees serving at the full performance level function with independent judgment to administer and interpret recreation therapy assessments and utilize clinical competencies to develop unconventional assessment and interview approaches to effectively elicit information. They conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure). Incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered, the therapist constructs evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues, such as polytrauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), spinal cord injury (SCI), substance use disorder/addictions, serious mental illness (SMI), and hospice/palliative care requirements. They provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision. They review recreation therapy consults and conduct comprehensive evaluations. Based upon the assessment data, and in collaboration with other stakeholders, the therapist develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration, and treatment. They recommend adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. References: VA Handbook 5005/111 Part II Appendix G60. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: In some assignments, the work involves regular and recurring physical exertion as prolonged walking or standing, bending, moderately heavy lifting or moving of equipment positioning severely disabled patients and assisting patients in ambulation.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).

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 James H Quillen VA Medical Center Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684 US
• Name: Yvonne Laguna
• Phone: 1-858-623-1873
• Email: [email protected]