The primary purpose of the Recreation Therapist is to perform a full range of Recreation Therapy functions in the provision of Recreational Therapy services to patients at the Central Arkansas VA Medical Center. This position serves the Community Living Center under the supervision of the Long-Term Care Support Nurse Manager.

Duties

If you are NOT a current permanent VA employee or Federal employee from other federal agencies, you should apply under CBST-12654134-25-ARS. Duties of the Recreation Therapist include, but are not limited to: 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. The Recreation Therapist is expected to perform documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports as needed. Uses Recreation Therapy expertise for direct service delivery to patients. Acts as a subject matter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals. Serves as Recreation Therapy representative on interdisciplinary teams as assigned or needed. In consultation with patients, their families, and caregivers, Recreation Therapist shall educate as required regarding treatment interventions and goals, in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes. 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. Responsible for developing, organizing and administering Recreation programs to provide therapeutic treatment to patients in various areas as assigned, e.g., Mental Health Services, the Community Living Center; Palliative Care, and other patient care areas as needed. Develops Recreation Therapy treatment plans to address specific needs identified in the assessment process. The format and content of all treatment plans must conform to JCAHO, NCTRC, A TRA and Professional Standards of Practice. Treatment plans will include but not be limited to; goals, measurable behavioral objectives, therapeutic process (intervention strategies), time frames for achievement and evaluation methodologies. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings and works closely with physicians and other interdisciplinary team members to develop overall care plans which maximize independent functioning and meet the total health care needs of the patients. Planning and Implementation of Treatment Strategies. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm (Occasionally 9:00am-5:30pm) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-7, 598-01137-F; GS-9, 598-01138-F; GS-11, 598-00054-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist: (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. 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. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Recreation Therapist, GS-07 Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Recreation Therapist, GS-09 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate 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 or education above, the candidate must demonstrate 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. Preferred Experience: Long-Term Care experience BLS certification Demonstrates sound judgement, critical thinking skills, and planning activities for older adults. References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Demands: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds), light lifting and light carrying (under 15 pounds), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, both legs required, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, and shades of colors. Environmental factors include outside and inside, dust, solvents, working around machinery with moving parts, and working closely with others. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services).

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 John L McClellan Memorial Veterans' Hospital 4300 West Seventh Street Little Rock, AR 72205 US
• Name: Alan Stagg-Scalia
• Phone: (501) 231-9930
• Email: [email protected]