The Recreation Therapist - Integrative Modalities Specialist is assigned under Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Loma Linda VA Healthcare System, a complexity level 1a facility. Recreation Therapist provide treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services.

Duties

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Provides intensive case management services using Recreation Therapy interventions and services for patients. Provides an aspect of active treatment, involving individualized assessment, treatment planning, treatment implementation and evaluation to restore, remediate or rehabilitate specific aspects of cognitive, emotional, physical or social functioning to assist patients/clients who have a vast array of conditions and diagnoses and often with additional diagnoses including but not limited to: PTSD, psychiatric conditions, substance abuse, traumatic brain injuries, vision impairments, geriatric conditions, and/or physical disabilities, injuries, disorders and diseases, whose conditions can be treated with highly specialized, standard and non-standard procedures and approaches to improve functioning and independence in life activities. Develops, organizes, and administers Recreation Therapy programs and services in provision of therapeutic treatment for patients who are receiving treatment at Loma Linda VA Healthcare System including evening, weekend and holiday hours. These include participation in local and national events throughout the year. Prepares a treatment plan for each patient that is based upon the information in the providers referral, clinical record, assessment and evaluation of the patient's condition, treatment goals and the selection of interventions that are suitable to achieve treatment objectives. Serves as the subject matter expert (SME) concerning integrative and complementary treatments and modalities and how those modalities and treatments utilized by Recreation Therapy relate to addressing the psychosocial rehabilitative and maintenance needs of the patient. Participates in the overall patient treatment program. The therapeutic process for a goal focused 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. Provides routine documentation of patient participation, progress and response and continuous monitoring of treatment plan and ongoinginvolvement of/and consultation with the patient. Collaborates with other stakeholders, and develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, durations, and treatment. Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in Recreation Therapy. Through the use of activity/task analysis, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic procedures, the therapist designs individualized treatment interventions to include but not limited to: reduce stress, anxiety, and maladaptive behaviors; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence; and develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary tore-enter the community in a productive manner. Utilizes sophisticated techniques/strategies used to improve or support clinical outcomes may include, but are not limited to: developing positive patterns of behavior; improving/managing mental health conditions (e.g., PTSD, anxiety, depression); relaxation and stressreductions; lifestyle alterations; social skills training; developing or improving (enhancing) self-esteem; developing and maintaining positive relationships; motor learning and training strategies; anger and pain management; identify risks; recovery support lifestyle adjustment; conflict/problem resolution; adjustment to disability; and coping with grief and loss. Provides clinical guidance using the advanced knowledge of best practice and evidence-based Recreation Therapy implementation across multiple areas of practice. Applies advanced clinical skills to address: sensory motor, including sensory integration; neuromuscular and motor cognitive integration and cognitive components; and psychosocial skills and psychological components. Performs clinical services and balance organizational responsibilities while developing and implementing effective strategies with great autonomy, at a level compatible with the critical necessity for accuracy and completion. Develops, implements, and modifies Recreation Therapy treatment plans in response to changing medical, physical, mental, psychological and/or psychosocial conditions, as well as comorbidities. Engages in a high level of decision-making for independent care. Work Schedule: Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs 9:00am -5:30pm, Tues 11:00am - 7:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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. Certification: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired with a bachelors degree or higher in any field, 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. Failure to Obtain Registration/Certification. In all cases, recreation and creative arts therapists must actively pursue meeting registration and/or certification requirements, starting from the date of appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unregistered and/or uncertified recreation or creative arts therapist with the written requirement to obtain registration/certification, the date by which the registration and/or certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming registered and/or certified by the deadline. Failure to become registered and/or certified within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation, and may result in termination of employment. Grade Determination: GS-12 GS-12 Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of two years of progressively complex experience, which includes one year equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11) directly related to the position being filled. AND Certification: Additional certification in a specialty treatment area in recreation therapy, such as, but not limited to: Physical Medicine/Rehabilitation, Geriatrics ,Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Health, Community Inclusion Services, Aquatic Exercise Therapy/Aquatic Therapy, Adapted Sports, Assisted Technology, Social Skills, etc., or in a directly related field such as, but not limited to: acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, dementia, dialectical behavioral therapy, gambling disorder, motivational interviewing, and/or wellness recovery action plan facilitator. Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of best practice and evidence-based recreation therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to perform clinical services and balance organizational responsibilities while developing and implementing effective strategies with great autonomy, at a level compatible with the critical necessity for accuracy and completion. Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disability and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in- depth specific assessment. Skill in developing, implementing, and modifying recreation therapy treatment plans in response to changing medical, physical, mental, psychological and/or psychosocial conditions, as well as comorbidities. Ability to provide clinical guidance using the advanced knowledge of best practice and evidence-based recreation therapy implementation across multiple areas of practice. Knowledge of how recreation therapy impacts revenue resource allocation, as it relates to complex diagnosis, treatment, and diagnostic coding. References: VA Handbook 5005/111, Part II, Appendix G60- Recreation Therapist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, lifting (up to 40 pounds) and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; pushing or pulling heavy objects, including Veterans in wheelchairs, gurneys; leading or directing physical activities/exercise. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures, as well as skill and ability in the therapist's respective discipline.

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 Jerry L Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital 11201 Benton Street Loma Linda, CA 92357 US
• Name: Julia Herrera
• Phone: (909) 583-6177
• Email: [email protected]