Recreation Therapist (Acute Inpatient Mental Health)

Summary The Recreation Therapist is assigned to Community Living Center (CLC) in Patient Care Service (PCS) VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS), Ann Arbor, MI. The Recreation Therapist provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient treatment services. Responsibilities List of duties to include but not limited to: Clinical: Completes comprehensive clinical recreational/leisure functional assessment. Develops comprehensive individualized goals and implements a treatment plan/care Plan; making adaptations and modifications as needed, to ensure optimum outcomes. Independently develops outcome-based, specific therapeutic recreation interventions. Frequently selects, adapts, and/or modifies recreation modalities/treatment in accordance with patient current abilities, goals and interests; modify techniques, develop new approaches as necessary to ensure the realization of patient treatment goals. Conduct discharge plans as needed. Recommend adaptations, modifications, and/or assistive technology to meet a patients assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Utilize sophisticated techniques/strategies to improve or support clinical outcomes (which may include Complementary and Integrative Therapy interventions). Exercises resourcefulness is providing individualized, unique, effective methods and procedures when implementing therapeutic interventions. 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, committees and meetings as assigned or needed. Communicating significant changes in Veterans condition and/or treatment to the Provider and/or interdisciplinary treatment team. 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. Researching recreation therapy best-practices, innovative approaches, adapted equipment, and pursuing the availability of state of the art technology. 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. Participates in the ordering and maintaining of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery. Participates in service specific policy development, grant writing, research, education and studies as applicable. Fosters and maintains a safe treatment area. Promotes effective communication with all patients, caregivers, treatment team members, Medical Center staff and community partners. Education: Maintains professional competence through participation in appropriate educational activities. Assists in teaching and providing learning experiences for Recreation Therapy clinical students and 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: Day shift, working weekend & holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 930750/930760/929920 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications 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: 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)). Education: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist. A bachelors 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 bachelors 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: Current certification 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). English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Grade Determinations: GS-07 Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-09 Experience/Education: To qualify for the GS-09 you must have at least one year creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-07), or a masters degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required one year of professional recreation therapist experience? In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs? (Must be clearly demonstrated in your resume to be given credit) 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. GS-11 Experience Requirement: To qualify for the GS-11 You must have at least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-09). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and meet the basic requirements. (must be clearly demonstrated in resume to be given credit). 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-07 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing and reaching over head. Transferring objects and equipment may be required. The Recreational Therapist may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. 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/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.