Lead Recreation Therapist

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.

Requirements:

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.