Lead Recreation Therapist

Full Job Description

General Description of Assigned Duties The Recreation Therapist (RT) Lead is within the PM&R service and involves evaluating patients and developing functional rehabilitation plans using various assessments and tools.

Primary focus is direct patient care. Responsibilities cover all clinical areas (inpatient, outpatient, CLC, and other areas as assigned) within the medical center associated with PM&R services.

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: a. 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)).

b.

Education: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist, creative arts therapist (art), creative arts therapist (dance/movement), creative arts therapist (drama), and creative arts therapist (music): 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. c. Experience: (a) Experience.

At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i. Knowledge of recreation therapy across multiple types of clinical practice. ii.

Ability to provide professional oversight and consultation for staff therapists and guidance to auxiliary staff, volunteers, and trainees. iii.

Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work and make adjustments to accomplish the workload, in accordance with established procedures. iv.

Ability to facilitate program development, outcome management, and strategic planning. VA Handbook 5005/111 June 7, 2019 PART II APPENDIX G60 II-G60-14 v.

Ability to act as a liaison between staff, volunteers, or trainees, and serve as an immediate supervisor to resolve informal complaints and concerns. vi.

Knowledge of procedures and policies to provide oversight and training for auxiliary staff, volunteers, and trainees. vii. Skill in coordinating clinical activities within the workgroup. viii.

Skill in leading and directing staff to implement evidence-based recreation and/or creative arts therapy approaches to patients with varied treatment needs and skill level.

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: For the GS-12 Lead RT, applicants must at least have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift 30 pounds. Major Duties:

Major duties include but are not limited to: Clinical: Conducts, analyzes, interprets, and reports assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure) Incorporates the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered Constructs evidence based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues, such as polytrauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), spinal cord injury (SCI), substance use disorder/addictions, serious mental illness (SMI), and hospice/palliative care requirements Provides comprehensive clinical services as well as ensuring that the work assignments of the other members of the clinical team are carried out Educational: Identifies their educational needs, stays updated on advances, and ensures care aligns with current research and practice Maintains an active license, provide in-services, attend educational offerings and conferences, and participate in mandatory training Supervises and develops training programs for students, volunteers, and aides, and providing clinical oversight for RT students Engages in relevant research activities and explains recreation programs to various stakeholders Administrative: Completes all patient care encounters using correct CPT and diagnosis codes, maintains inventory and orders supplies as needed, and follows departmental procedures for scheduling and patient check in/check-out.

Ensures compliance with all national and local directives, guidelines, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Attends staff meetings, contributes ideas, and participates in program development, including creating and refining evaluation forms, consult templates, policies, and protocols Completes quality improvement activities and carries out other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM; Tour of duty based off organizational needs Telework: May be available for (Ad-hoc) only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 654 FS 09051-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized