Recreation Therapist

Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The Recreational Therapist (inpatient) position is located in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&R) at the Bedford VA Healthcare System in Bedford, MA. The position is full-time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

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The Recreation Therapist (inpatient) for the Bedford VA Medical Center is aligned under the Sensory & Physical Rehabilitation Service (SPRS) team, whose purpose is to provide care and rehabilitation to those Veterans with a variety of disabilities, such as amputation, paralysis, neurological disorders, orthopedic conditions, behavioral health, psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injuries, respiratory disorders, chronic cardiovascular diseases, substance abuse, homelessness, and Veterans with multiple diagnoses. Complexity and responsibility of the duties will differ based on the grade for which you are hired. At the full performance, duties include but not limited to :

• Performs the work of a recreation / creative arts therapist, which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates an advanced competency, which qualifies to perform patient evaluations and treatment procedures independently on patients with a variety of complex diagnoses and disabilities.
• Skills in program development and administrative aspects of patient treatments and has knowledge and ability in diversified recreation / creative arts therapy treatment services.
• Develops, organizes and administers recreation / creative arts therapy programs to provide therapeutic interventions to patients on the various programs : community living centers, hospice, sub-acute, dementia special care unit, inpatient psychiatry, inpatient, residential Homeless Veterans Program (REACH), residential substance use programs, Mental Health Clinic, Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM), Fitness and Wellness Clinic, and Whole Health / Move Program.
• 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, the therapist constructs appropriate and evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues such as Polytrauma (TBI); Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Substance Use Disorder / Addictions; Serious Mental Illness; and Hospice / Palliative Care.
• Provides and directs patient care and receives guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision.
• Reviews and consults recreation therapy and conduct comprehensive evaluations.
• Develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives.
• Recommends adaptations, modifications, and / or assistive technology to meet the assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy.

Work Schedule : Sunday-Thursday; 8 : 00am-4 : 30pm, with one late shift 11 : 00am-7 : 30pm

Telework : Not authorized

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : F06298

Relocation / Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not authorized

Fi nancial Disclosure Report : Not required

NOTIFICATIONS :

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider :

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 :

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,

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 :

Recreation Therapist, GS-11

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs :

References : VA Qualifications Standards

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

Physical Requirements : The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping and stretching to set up and take apart equipment; lifting and repositioning veterans; pushing or pulling heaving objects; may require driving government vehicles; good dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures.

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 : 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 :

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.

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 applicant's 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.