Recreation Therapist

Full Job Description

The Recreation Therapist is assigned to Recreation/Creative Arts Therapy section in the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

Recreation Therapist provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services.

This position will provide direct patient care to residents within the Community Living Center based on staffing assignment and workload demand.

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. Education.

(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 education paragraph (b), certification cannot be waived. 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 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.

English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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).

Creditable Experience(1) Knowledge of Current Professional Recreation Therapy or Creative Arts Therapy Practices.

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 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.

(2) Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to the next lower grade level.

Experience satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice, which may be paid or non-paid employment as a recreation or creative arts therapist.

Grade Determinations: Recreation Therapist, GS-7 Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment.

Employees at this level serve in an entry level position as a recreation therapist.

They work under the direct supervision of a recreation or creative arts therapist, at or above the full-performance level, or a designated supervisor in a clinical environment.

Employees have knowledge of their respective discipline, and work with guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff.

Established treatment procedures are substantially adapted and applied for acutely ill patients.

Employees at this level would not be assigned work at a community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC), unless supervision is on site. Recreation Therapist, GS-9 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 (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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 (KSAs).

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/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Major Duties:

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Clinical: 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.

Collaborate in co-treatment of complex clinical cases and demonstrate an ability to design, develop, or adapt unique recreation therapy methods as needed.

Develop therapeutic relationships with professional boundaries and establish a safe environment for the patient.

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 of activities, sports and equipment 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.

Administration: Adheres with Medical Center policies. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy.

Develops and implement quality improvement systems as related to internal and external regulatory requirements, including patient safety.

Participates in the evaluation of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery.

Monitoring of equipment effectiveness and evaluation of new equipment to ensure state-of-art recreation therapy treatment is provided. Fosters and maintains a safe treatment area.

Promotes effective communication with all patients, caregivers, treatment team members, Medical Center staff and community partners. Possesses a valid driver's license.

Therapist must maintain Federal and local VA requirements to operate government motor vehicles and to transport Veterans. Therapist maybe designated as a Government Purchase Card holder.

As designated cardholder, the therapist is responsible for meeting the standards for procurement, reconciliation, documentation and disputes as set forth in VA Handbook 1730.1 Use and Management of Government Purchase Card and VA Handbook 4080, Government Purchase Card Procedures, VISN 23 and facility purchase card program policies.

The cardholder will be held accountable for ensuring that all Federal, VA and local acquisition regulations are followed.

Education: 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.

Deliver treatment in compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) accrediting agencies and VHA directives.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm, may include nights, weekends and holidays. 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