The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To Lead other Recreation Therapists and to plan and design recreation programs for patients with mixed and /or multiple disabilities to improve their physical, emotional and functional capacity. The Lead Recreation therapist is a level position with the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS).

Duties

Clinical Functions: Patient Care Therapists at this level have experience that demonstrates advance practices skills and sound clinical judgment across many areas of recreation and creative art therapies. Leads are responsible for completing complex evaluations and treatments. They are required t apply advance evaluation methodologies and treatment theories in the provision of care to a vast array of patients with differing function impairments. They provide clinical practices guidance for other recreation and /or creative arts therapy staff. Lead therapist monitor work flow, make work assignments, provide input on performance, resolve daily workplace issues, and maintain efficient flow of patient care. The Lead may provide primary reports to the Program Manager/Chief of Service for the daily delivery of department programs, reporting, staffing, and scheduling. Lead therapist provide training for the department's auxiliary staff, volunteers, and trainees. Leads provide instructions in maintenance of all service equipment and coordinates patient care plans to reduce redundancies and delays in patient treatments. Treatment Implementation Patient Focus. The Lead therapist respects all veterans, their caregivers and extended families by exhibiting sensitivity to their needs, tolerances, and individual differences including values, social backgrounds and ethnic group. Assessments. The Lead therapist serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment or palliative care team. Develops and Provides Effective Clinical Interventions. The Lead therapist develops and provides effective clinical interventions that are consistent with the therapist's professional Scope of Practice, Standards of Care, and Professional Ethics. valuates and Adjusts Treatment Plans and Intervention Strategies. The therapist documents the treatment rendered and patient's progress in the medical record and discusses progress with the treatment team. Administrative Functions Manages an coordinates schedules and programs. Manages and reviews annual budget Plans and carry out a wide range of activities or events with varying levels of responsibility to the hospital community, affiliated groups or agency and the community at large when appropriate. Support the Green Environmental Management System {GEMS) program by complying to reduce environmental risk factors and focusing on ways to; prevent pollution;' reduce waste; conserving energy and water; recycling, reduce fuel usage and conserving other natural and cultural resources. Position requires a valid driver's license and may also include a valid CDL driver's license. Education and Research Responsible for participating and contributing to the advancement of knowledge and techniques related to Recreation Therapy and other related topics. Keeps up advance knowledge, current trends in rehabilitation and evidence­-based medicine/rehabilitation practices in specialty area through literature review, clinical practice and attendance to continuing education and in services. May serve as Clinical Instructor for Recreation Therapy students as assigned. Participates in facility and/or service education projects. Complies with mandatory training, annual and continuing education hours as required by facility and Recreation state board to maintain professional license/certification and competency. Conducts in-service programs for other disciplines, healthcare providers. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Irregular tour including evening, weekend and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education. The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist - (1) 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. Required Certification. Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. Grade Determinations: Lead Recreation Therapist, GS-12 (a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-11), which clearly demonstrates: i. 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. ii. 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. iii. 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. iv. 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. v. Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. vi. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs (these KSAs should be addressed in your resume): i. Knowledge of recreation therapy across multiple types of clinical practice. ii. Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff therapists and guidance to auxiliary staff, volunteers, and trainees. iii. Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work and make adjustments to accomplish the workload, in accordance with established procedures. iv. Ability to facilitate program development, outcome management, and strategic planning. v. Ability to act as a liaison between staff, volunteers, or trainees, and serve as an immediate supervisor to resolve informal complaints and concerns. vi. Knowledge of procedures and policies to provide oversight and training for auxiliary staff, volunteers, and trainees. vii. Skill in coordinating clinical activities within the workgroup. viii. Skill in leading and directing staff to implement evidence-based recreation and/or creative arts therapy approaches to patients with varied treatment needs and skill level. Preferred Experience: CTRS credential Leadership 2+ years preferred or speak to leadership role experiences. Budgeting/FCP 2+ years preferred or speak to experiences. Equipment ordering 2+ years preferred or speak to experiences. Experience working with CDCE. Experience working with Service organizations. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-60 Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45lbs and over); moderate carrying (15-44 lbs); straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, walking and standing for 4 hours, kneeling (2 hours0; repeated bending (6 hours); climbing (legs only) 2 hours; both legs required; operation of a motor vehicle; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hear (aid permitted); simple grasping; fine manipulation (keyboarding)

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

1. Accreditation Information: The degree must be approved by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)
2. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
3. NOTE: If your school was accredited by NCTRC at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the NCTRC website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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 Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]