This Supervisory Recreation Therapist position is in the Office of Veteran Experience at the VA Maine Healthcare Systems. This position is a full-time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

The Supervisory Recreation Therapist (RT) has full responsibility of overall program planning, implementation, coordination, control, review, and financial management of the Section, to meet the diverse patient population needs, interests, capabilities, and therapeutic objectives of VA Maine. The specialty therapists serve programs across multiple types of interdisciplinary clinical practices. The incumbent is responsible for providing guidance and motivation, fostering acceptance and sound judgment concepts, practices, and innovations. The RT performs work which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities and 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. Duties include but are not limited to: Provide clinical guidance to staff RTs within the department. Performs evaluations and assessments of Veterans in both the inpatient and outpatient population, to include specialized diagnostic tests and evaluations. Provides RT interventions for same population, serving as clinical specialist. Provides direction in all aspects of RT care, serving as mentor to other staff therapists in the clinic. Subject matter expert in areas of leisure and therapeutic recreation, provides consultation/education to staff, physicians, treatment teams, Veterans, and their families Participates as an instructor in the facility's in-service clinical training. Reviews and analyzes the effectiveness of treatments and develops new treatment programs which apply current research and evidence-based practice; assists/encourages other RT staff in same. Independently develops relationships with community partners to expand RT opportunities for Maine Veterans. Builds and maintains therapeutic and functional relationships with Voluntary Services department in the effort to fund and support RT opportunities for Maine Veterans. Assesses and oversees appropriate volunteers to support RT programming. Independently solves complex problems, modifies treatment programs to meet needs of Veterans with complex disabilities, and assists other staff therapists in same process. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 07:30am - 04:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 402-F07614 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.

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: Citizen of the United States (U.S.)(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)). 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. Grade Determinations: GS-12 (Supervisory Recreation Therapist): Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-11). AND 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 to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Ability to use evidence-based practices, 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: RECREATION AND CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Duties are physical in nature, requiring standing, walking, bending, stooping, lifting light to medium weight objects, and push wheelchairs. Requires the ability to carry light to medium weight items such as papers, books, or other supplies, as well as heavier items such as durable medical equipment. The incumbent needs to be able to handle the therapy & recreation equipment for patient care activities and uses the computer and other standard office equipment to complete administrative tasks. The incumbent assists with patient's transfers on community trips and lifts boxes up to 60 lbs. of donated supplies for patient programs. Ability to drive motor vehicles which are required to transport Veterans to community activities and programs.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level

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 Togus VA Medical Center 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330 US
• Name: Lenwit Belanger
• Phone: 781-687-2000 X6822
• Email: [email protected]