Summary This assignment carries responsibility for providing recreation therapy (RT) evaluation and treatment to veteran patients according to the North Florida / South Georgia VA Health System (NF/SG VAHCS) mission and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) guidelines. The RT will provide services within the PM&R Service for the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, as well as provide RT coverage as needed within the NF/SG VAHS catchment area . Responsibilities The primary function of the Recreation Therapist (RT) is to provide direct patient care in order to rehabilitate and remediate the effects of disease, disability, or illness and to help restore functioning at the highest level within a multitude of settings but mainly focused in inpatient short-stay stabilization and rehabilitation. Coverage and collaboration will also occur in inpatient long-term care, in-patient memory care, inpatient hospice and palliative care, inpatient substance abuse and mental health rehab, and out-patient programs such as adaptive sports community re-integration. The recreation therapist completes duties as assigned by the supervisor and may work rotations to include evenings, weekends, and holidays based on the needs of the RT section and the veterans being served. Duties and responsibilities at ALL levels include, but are not limited to: The RT demonstrates knowledge of his/her respective discipline and works with guidance from higher level or supervisory staff to perform routine duties such as planning, developing, and implementing RT treatment programs for individual patients or groups of patients in order to help rehabilitate and remediate the effects of disease, disability, or illness and to help restore functioning at the highest level. Incumbent performs routine assessments, evaluations, and treatments in order to help prevent physical disability; promote physical, mental, and psycho-social health and well-being following the onset of an injury, illness, or disabling condition; aid in the treatment of chronic pain resulting from acute or chronic medical conditions; and foster community leisure participation at the highest functional level. Incumbent develops and selects interventions to achieve patient goals; reviews patient progress; adapts or adjusts the treatment plan and intervention strategies; and implements therapeutic interventions that support measurable functional outcomes (interventions include, but are not limited to leisure education, reality orientation, memory, and gross motor activities). Incumbent evaluates patient needs for additional, alternative, or termination of services; documents patient's behavioral observations, progress, functioning, and intervention outcomes; and develop and provide collaborative services with other team members. Completes all required patient-care documentation, helps with patient care coverage when needed, and establishes treatment procedures that are substantially adapted and applied for acutely ill patients. Participates in multidisciplinary ward/clinic rounds, as needed, which includes providing information on patient assessment and progress, and information regarding recreation therapy management of patients. Regularly attends continuing education programs on issues pertaining to recreation therapy. Fosters an environment that values and respects individual differences. Takes and active role in prevention of harassment behavior and adheres to policies. Helps resolve patient issues/complaints at the lowest level and refers unresolved grievances and complaints to the appropriate sources. Follows policies and procedures (operational, privacy, IT security, etc.). Promotes and ensures a safe work environment. Follows established time/attendance and leave procedures. Demonstrates knowledge and skills in interpersonal relations, especially the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers. Maintains clinic areas, cleans and organizes therapy equipment and supplies to promote quality treatment in a safe and functionally appropriate environment. Maintains a state authorized driver's license and completes required training to be able to transport patients as needed using the medical center's means for transportation. Performs all other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm - Rotating weekends and holidays on a fair and equitable basis. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:PD51061F, 51067F, 51062F 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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). English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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 paragraph 3b(1)(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 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 (GS-11), the candidate must be registered and/or certified. Grade Determinations: Recreation Therapist, GS-7 Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Recreation Therapist, GS-9 Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-7), -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. a) Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient. b) Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance. c) Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process. d) 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 (GS-9). Education may NOT be substituted at the full-performance level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. a) 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. b) 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. c) 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. d) 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. e) Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. f) Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits. References: Recreation and Creative Arts Therapist Qualification Standard - GS-0638 (formerly VA Handbook 5005/111, Part II, Appendix G60). 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 from GS-7 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Recreation Therapy is considered a vocation that requires "medium" work. Medium Work entails: exerting 20 -50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work. (i.e.: more than exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects). 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 is a bargaining unit position. 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 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.