The Recreation Therapist is assigned to the Recreation Therapy Department at the Ralph H. Johnson V AMC Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Recreation Therapists provide treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services. The incumbent must meet all criteria included in the qualification standards. The incumbent will be expected to travel 100% for this position.

Duties

This position involves professional work requiring application of knowledge on the concepts, principles, and practices of Recreation Therapy, and use of Recreational modalities to treat the physical mental, emotional, and social needs of individual patients, groups of patients, and families; maintain or rehabilitate patients' physical and/or mental health; or palliate symptoms related to terminal illness. 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 Recreation Therapy within the total health care plan for the patient. This is a direct care position in which the incumbent is responsible for performing the work of a Recreation Therapist, which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities. The incumbent demonstrates an advanced competency, which qualifies him/her to perform patient evaluations and treatment procedures independently on patients with u 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 inpatients, Medical Foster Home patients, Home Based Primary Care patients, outpatient services, in the Community Based Outpatient Clinics, and within the community. The incumbent may be assigned to any program area within the Ralph H. Johnson V AMC and may rotate on a regular basis through the inpatient and outpatient setting. He/she may also work off hour shifts, weekends and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need. A valid driver's license is required as the incumbent may be required to drive to off-site locations in the performance of their duties to meet the Veterans needs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Per management's approval Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 534-50433-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. Certification: Must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. Education: The following education requirements apply to the 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. 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: GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience: One (1) year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-09) GS-09 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume: Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient. Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance. Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process. Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. GS-11 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, that that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume: 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: Prefer 5+ years experience in Home Health. Experience working with geriatric population. Experience developing and implementing virtual program when applicable. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G60 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 109 Bee Street Charleston, SC 29401 US
• Name: Kunita Snead
• Phone: (404) 476-0994
• Email: [email protected]