The Recreation Therapist for the Lebanon VA Medical Center is aligned under Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy Services at the Lebanon VA Medical Center which includes 5 outpatient clinics. The primary duty station of this position will be at the Berks County VA Clinic in Reading, PA, Lancaster County VA Clinic in Willow Street, PA or Schuylkill County VA Clinic in Pottsville, PA. The Recreation Therapist will provide care to Veterans in their homes within their assigned coverage areas.

Duties

The Recreation Therapist functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Participating in the overall patient treatment program. The therapeutic process for a goal intended program will be used: a) comprehensive leisure assessment, b) goal/objective development, c) appropriate interventions strategies, d) program implementation, e) evaluations, and f) discharge planning/aftercare. The Recreation Therapist will provide routine documentation of patient participation, progress and response and continuous monitoring of treatment plan and ongoing involvement of/and consultation with the patient. The incumbent demonstrates an advanced competency, which qualifies him/her to perform patient evaluations and treatment procedures independently on patients with a variety of complex diagnoses and disabilities. The incumbent has skills in program development and administrative aspects of patient treatment and has knowledge and ability in diversified recreation therapy treatment services. The incumbent is responsible for developing, organizing and administering recreation therapy programs to provide therapeutic interventions to patients in the various inpatient, outpatient and community based programs. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Conducts, analyzes, interprets, and reports assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure). Incorporates the four-step process of: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered, the therapist constructs appropriate and evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues. Reviews recreation therapy consults/referrals and conduct comprehensive evaluations. Develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration and treatment. Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet the assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Uses activity/task analysis, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic procedures to design individualized treatment interventions, therapeutic groups and programmatic interventions to reduce stress, anxiety and maladaptive behaviors, recover basic motor functioning, reasoning abilities, build confidence, and develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary to re-enter the community in a productive manner. Exercises resourcefulness in providing individualized, unique effective methods and procedures when implementing therapeutic interventions. Evaluates patient needs for additional, alternative, or termination of services and monitor effectiveness of intervention plans and makes modifications, as needed. Determines effectiveness of protocols, modalities and programs for targeted groups through quantitative analysis and identifies potential risks and need for adaptive interventions with cases to facilitate improved bio-psychosocial well-being. Participates in co-treatment opportunities including but not limited to: neurological rehabilitation; mental health recovery programs; and palliative care related to the symptoms of a terminal illness. Conducts discharge analysis for community needs. Participates with Community Partners in developing and sustaining programs and services. Adheres with Medical Center policies. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Promotes effective communication with all patients, caregivers, treatment team members, Medical Center staff and community partners. Fosters and maintains a safe treatment area. Assists in teaching and providing learning experiences for Recreation Therapy clinical interns as required. Delivers treatment in compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) accrediting agencies and VHA directives. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with some evening, weekend, and holiday coverage. Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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. 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 Education (b), certification cannot be waived. 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 basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: 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 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. Preferred Experience: Experience working with clients with multiple, complex comorbidities; experience in physical rehabilitation techniques and practices; experience with developing and facilitating clinically based treatment programming. References: VA Handbook 5005/111 Part II Appendix G60 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position involve active listening, reading, observing, and evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior, walking, speaking, writing clinical notes, using office equipment such as computers, telephones, fax, photocopy machines and travel throughout the catchment.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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 Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Lebanon, PA 17042 US
• Name: Melanie Johnson
• Phone: (412) 822-2048
• Email: [email protected]