This position is in the Recreation Therapy Section within the Rehabilitation Care Line (RCL) of the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV. The Recreation Therapist supports Medical Center, Community Living Center(CLC), domiciliary, and outpatient referrals.

Duties

Major Duties: Administers, scores, or interprets a variety of creative and motor skill tests. Evaluates the assigned patient's mental, emotional, social, and physical capabilities to determine the patient's needs in recreation therapy. Administers mental and physical tests for patients with severe or multiple diagnoses. As an expert in recreation therapy, oversees the administration and interpretation of tests. Maintains professional currency in testing procedures and practices and introduces new methods as appropriate. Guides recreation therapy assistants in the correct methods of administering and interpreting test results. Reviews client's progress and introduces new or more challenging activities or adjusts activities to a lesser challenge as the circumstances dictate. Discusses progress with treatment team, suggests adjustments to activities based on sound professional arguments. Evaluates and modifies treatment for veterans with multiple or severe conditions. Performs regular assessments and leisure diagnostic evaluations to determine appropriate treatment in conjunction with interdisciplinary treatment team and physician. Documents the treatment rendered and the veteran's progress and response to treatment in the medical record. Conducts record keeping related to patient care documentation and quality improvement (QI) data collection as specified by the Recreation Therapy Supervisor. Oversee appointment scheduling for assigned patients as needed VHA scheduling guidelines. Performs other tasks as assigned by the Recreation Therapy Supervisor that are consistent with the mission of the Section, RCL, and Medical Center. Demonstrates advanced competency in knowledge of electronic documentation and computer skills. Demonstrates competency in the use of Microsoft Office applications, virtual network, paging/phone system, and tele-health equipment. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Contact [email protected] for questions/assistance. 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 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: 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 Certification: Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived Exception. Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for registration and/or certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation or creative arts therapist, under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B), for a period not to exceed two years. Applicants who fail to obtain registration and/or certification during this temporary full-time appointment may be terminated. The exception only applies to positions at the GS-7 and GS-9 level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be registered and/or certified. 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: Recreation Therapist - In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of the candidates: GS-7: Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-9: Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level, or a master's degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required one year of professional recreation therapist experience. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. 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.vi. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits. References: VA Handbook 5005/111, Part II, Appendix G60 Recreation and Creative Arts Therapist Qualification Standard GS-0638, Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: A Recreation Therapist has job-related physical demands rating of Medium Work (U.S. Department of Labor) which implies frequent 20 pounds of lifting and infrequent lifting of 50 pounds and over. A typical energy requirement at this level is 3.5 METS. Typical physical job demands carrying light to heavy equipment/supplies to all areas of the medical center

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Martinsburg VA Medical Center 510 Butler Avenue Martinsburg, WV 25405 US
• Name: Charlene Quick-Aldridge
• Phone: 1-667-298-6909
• Email: [email protected]