The Recreation Therapist is aligned under Geriatric and Extended Careline at the VA Western New York Healthcare System. The WNY Healthcare System provides care and rehabilitation to those Veterans with a variety of disabilities, such as amputation, paralysis, neurological disorders, orthopedic conditions, behavioral health, psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injuries, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and blind rehabilitation.

Duties

The Buffalo VA Medical Center Geriatric and Extended Care Recreational Therapist provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services. This is a direct patient care position in which the incumbent is responsible for performing the work of a recreation/creative arts therapist, which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities. The incumbent will demonstrate 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. Possession of skills in program development and administrative aspects of patient treatment and has knowledge and ability in diversified recreation/creative arts therapy treatment services are key functions of this position. The incumbent is responsible for developing, organizing and administering recreation/creative arts therapy programs to provide therapeutic interventions to patients on the various programs; community living centers, hospice, sub-acute, dementia special care unit, inpatient psychiatry, outpatient SCI rehabilitation, residential substance use programs, Mental Health inpatient program, Mental Health outpatient program, evening diversional programs, all Outpatient Adaptive Sports Programs and National VA Programs such as National Veterans Golden Age Games, National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Demonstrates ability and competency in treating patients that range in age from young adult to geriatric who may experience complex medical or mental health issues. Evaluates, establishes goals based on evaluation findings, and develops treatment interventions. Implements and modifies as necessary treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimum outcomes. Documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports as needed. Construct appropriate and evidence based recreation therapy interventions for treatment patients with complex medical or mental health issues. Educate as required in consultation with patients, their families, and caregivers, regarding treatment interventions and goals, and any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Participates in the evaluation of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery. Promotes effective communication with all patients, caregivers, treatment team members, Medical Center staff and community partners. Maintains professional competence through participation in appropriate educational activities. Assists in teaching and providing learning experiences for Recreation Therapy clinical interns as required. Participates in staff orientation, successfully completes Medical Center assigned mandatory trainings, and in-service activities. All other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Variable Tour of Duty (noted below) (Hours 8:00 am - 4:30 pm) Monday - Friday three times a month and Sunday - Thursday once a month (Hours 12:30 pm - 9:00 pm) Once a week on Wednesday - may vary depending on the needs of the department. With prior knowledge and set up on monthly recreation therapy calendar. Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 21M47-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education (Transcripts with education conferral date may be requested): (a) 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, (b) 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. COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED Loss of Credential. A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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 Determination Recreation Therapist, GS-11: Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level, (GS-9), is required. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (also referred to as "clinical competencies") associated with current professional recreation or creative arts therapy practices. Evidence of such experience includes private practice, U.S. military services, local/state/federal government organizations, for profit/non-profit organizations, health care, or educational facilities Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to, the following: Conducting patient evaluations. Analyzing and interpreting leisure, cognitive, and motor skill assessment data to develop individualized goals, objectives, and treatment plans of care. Developing and selecting interventions to achieve patient goals. Reviewing patient progress and adapting or adjusting treatment plans and intervention strategies as needed. Implementing therapeutic interventions that support measurable functional outcomes. Evaluating patient needs for additional, alternative, or termination of services. Documenting patient behavioral observations, progress, functioning, and intervention outcomes. Developing and providing collaborative services with other team members. And, 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. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Individuals assigned as GS - 11 Recreation Therapist are considered to be at the full performance level (FPL). Physical Requirements: Work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients, and pushing or pulling heavy objects and patients in wheelchairs/Geri-chairs. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above average dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures.

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 VA Western New York Healthcare System 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 US
• Name: Sean Dixon
• Phone: 585-284-4127
• Email: [email protected]