Recreation Specialist (YOGA THERAPY)

Full Job Description

This part-time position is located at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, and serves as a Recreation Specialist (Yoga Therapy).

The Yoga Therapist establishes criteria for incoming referrals and determines whether incoming referrals for yoga therapy are appropriate for the program and individual Veterans.

Yoga therapy services are delivered in individual and group formats as well as in person and virtually.

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) United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

(b) English Language Proficiency: Yoga Therapist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). (c) Certification.

All applicants must hold an International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) certification (C-IAYT).

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: Yoga Therapist,GS-7: (1) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of yoga therapy assessment processes.

(b) Knowledge of clinical health conditions (i.e., disease states, diagnoses, and symptoms).

(c) Ability to deliver evidence-informed yoga practices adapted for the specific needs and conditions of the participant. (d) Ability to guide participants in yoga therapy.

(e) Ability to adapt the physical environment to support the biopsychosocial health and well-being of various populations.

(f) Ability to communicate with patients and other health care professionals to render effective therapeutic and working relationships.

(g) Ability to conduct yoga therapy assessments to develop care plans with appropriate yoga therapy interventions. (h) Ability to use a computerized system for care planning and documentation.

Yoga Therapist, GS-09 (1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of physical and mental health conditions including symptoms, diagnoses, functional limitations, medications and side effects, medical terminology, and treatments related to acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries.

(b) Skill in adapting the physical environment to support the biopsychosocial health and well-being of various populations.

(c) Skill in communicating with patients and other health care professionals to render effective therapeutic and working relationships.

(d) Skill to conduct yoga therapy assessments to develop care plans with appropriate yoga therapy interventions.

(e) Skill in delivering evidence-informed yoga therapy adapted for the specific needs and conditions of the participant. (f) Ability to establish criteria for incoming referrals.

(g) Ability to develop educational material Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-9. Major Duties:

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Independently conducts yoga therapy assessments utilizing an understanding of common clinical health conditions to develop and deliver evidence-informed yoga practices adapted for the specific needs and conditions of the participant or group.

Provides ongoing assessment of Veteran's progress towards goals and response to yoga therapy and modify care plans based on outcomes.

Knowledge of appropriate and safe delivery of yoga practices including postures (asana), breathwork (pranayama), meditation (dhyana and dharana), gestures (mudras), sounds (mantras), and application to daily life through yoga philosophy and other practices in the yoga tradition.

Use an understanding of modifications to appropriately adapt and guide safe, evidence-informed therapeutic yoga practices based on the assessment and in support of the biopsychosocial-spiritual health and well-being of the participant or group.

Develops care plans and provides education within the yoga therapy framework according to the Veteran's health condition, needs, goals, life circumstances and access to resources such as time and equipment.

Create and facilitate evidence-informed and condition-specific yoga therapy groups and workshops.

Plans, develops and/or participates in education related to yoga and yoga therapy as a component of complementary and integrative health (CIH) care to increase awareness regarding the benefits of yoga, yoga therapy, and self-care strategies for Veterans, staff, caregivers, and/or community organizations.

Develop and maintain a portfolio of educational materials and resources for clinicians and Veterans using print and non-print media.

Fosters a safe environment and therapeutic relationship including communication with patients and other health care professionals.

Communicates with Veterans and collaborates with other healthcare professionals regarding care plans.

Determine and refer Veterans to an appropriate health care provider for any new clinical findings or concerns outside of the Yoga Therapist's scope of practice.

Work Schedule: Part-time, Monday - Friday 07:30am to 4:00pm CST (Tour of duty may vary) Salary noted is based on a full-time schedule. Actual salary will be pro-rated based on actual hours worked.

Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized