This position is the Supervisory Recreation Therapist located in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services (PM&RS) Department within the Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS). The incumbent directly reports to the Assistant Chief of PM&RS. The Supervisory Recreation Therapist is responsible for the professional and administrative management of the Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy Section within PM&RS.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as the Supervisory Recreation Therapist within PM&RS department at the MTVAHCS. May function as the Acting Assistant Chief, PM&RS in his/her absence and has full and final authority. Reviews with staff and appropriate program managers, the assignments and programs and makes recommendations for changes, additions, and deletions. Reviews Department/Program/Unit Recreation & Creative Arts Therapy programs to ensure adequacy and effectiveness as they pertain to individual treatment mission, program design, safety/risk management, service policies and procedures, and professional ethical standards. Manages the Veteran's Outdoor Recreation Therapy and Adaptive Sport Programs. Programs may include fly fishing, kayaking, bicycling, skiing, Nordic, snowshoeing, hiking, camping hunting and other outdoor programs. Incumbent will have to establish working relationships with non-VA groups including, but not limited to, civilian businesses, governmental agencies including city, county, state and federal agencies, Veterans Service Organization. Incumbent will develop standards of operating procedures for each program. Acts as the subject matter expert (SME) for adaptive recreation equipment and provides treatment in complex cases and work with great independence. Works with Veterans who request adaptive recreation equipment, by performing a sports and recreation evaluation. He/she will work with other disciplines on securing the adaptive recreation/equipment. Attends necessary meetings to provide information about Recreation & Creative Arts Therapy Service and to receive information relative to other Programs/Services within the system that may impact the service. Plays a central role in developing and coordinating internal review systems to assure that both clinical and administrative activities are compliant with agency, accrediting, and regulatory requirements, including audits of therapist workload input, reviews of documentation, event captures and discharge completion. Responsible for oversight and coordination of visiting community groups and individuals related to Recreation & Creative Arts Therapy. EDUCATION Provides orientation/training related to the Recreation & Creative Arts Therapy service line to other medical staff, as appropriate. Assists in orientation and training of new staff. Completes periodic evaluation of staff professional development needs and arranges for adequate training to meet these identified needs. Assists in the training and supervision of students, trainees, interns, and fellows, providing feedback on progress toward established educational goals. Keeps current with theory and practice through continuing education programs, journals, textbooks, and other literature, and in-service programs. Provides patient and family education including informed consent. ADMINISTRATIVE Responsible for the supervision, organization, and maintenance of all patient care areas within the Recreation & Creative Arts Section. Responsible for Human Resources functions within the service line including, but not limited to recruitment, position management, and labor management relations. Ensures facility and training compliance of all employees in the service line. Responsible for developing clinics, note titles, stop codes, and maintaining appropriate grids for employees to maximize employee efficiency. Performs the service equipment inventory and submits all necessary work order needs to maintain a safe and efficient working environment within the service line. Responsible for the proper preparation of purchase requests for supplies and equipment and maintains oversight of this process until completion. Discusses, investigates, and responds to employee grievances and dissatisfactions to resolve conflicts. Provides oversight to the compilation and reporting of necessary monthly and quarterly statistical reports, as required, or requested. Develops, organizes, directs, manages, and supervises, controls, and implements policies and procedures in focused clinical programs. Plans, assesses, and evaluates programs to ensure proper coordination between health care delivery within the service or section and the overall delivery of health care. Makes decisions with wide latitude of control and independent judgment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00PM Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: Not Available Functional Statement #: 436-57072-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Available Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed. Education. Candidates must possess 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 under paragraph 3b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a recreation therapist, on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including positive education, and registration and/or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. GS-13 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 provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and use data to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers, to include conflict management. Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools. Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service. Knowledge related to administrative functions, such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/111 PART II APPENDIX G60 Physical Requirements. In some assignments the work involves regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged walking or standing, bending, moderately heavy lifting or moving of equipment, positioning severely disabled patients, assisting patients in ambulation, and work may consistent of a variety weather including heat, cold, wet, slick, etc.

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 Montana VA Health Care System 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]