Summary The Supervisory Recreation Therapist has responsibility for the overall supervision and program management for the well-being program and the recreation and creative arts therapy program in Whole Health & Integrative Health Services (WH&IHS) in all patient care areas of Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) that offer recreation therapy, music therapy, creative arts, and other therapy to the inpatient and outpatient population. Responsibilities Major Duties as Assigned, but not limited to: Must be able to perform all duties of subordinate therapists. Functions as a professional and technical advisor to the therapists, assistants, other allied health care professionals, program directors and managers throughout the medical center/facility. Ensures treatment plans developed by all CAT/RT therapist promote the goals of the program in which each Veteran is participating. Assists in the development and implementation of recreation therapy programs. Keeps abreast of current scientific, technological, theoretical and treatment modality changes, as well as management theory relating to the provision of recreation therapy Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of recreation therapy programs using principles of evidenced-based practice to establish and/or improve recreation therapy. Provides direct supervision of assigned staff within the Wellbeing section of Whole Health to include but not limited to: Recreation Therapists, Creative Arts Therapists, Therapy Assistants, Recreation Assistants and Program Assistants. Assists in the recruitment of potential candidates, interviews applicants and coordinates in the selection process with Human Resources. Orienting new employees, creating employee performance standards, completing semi-annual/annual performance appraisals, recommending performance awards/promotions, and training. Responsible for conducting an evaluation of the competency of each staff member to assure he/she possesses the necessary skills to successfully complete assigned duties. Analyzes current use and projects needs for formulation of the annual service budget estimating operating requirements including staffing, equipment, supplies, and services. Analyzes organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service. Develops and implements a performance improvement program to continually monitor therapy functions of WH&IHS staff for quality and appropriateness of CAT/recreation therapy. Coordinates learning activities and rotations for any fee basis appointees, clinical interns, work-study students, stay-in-school students and incentive therapy workers assigned to Wellbeing/RT. Provides input and recommendations to the GS13 Supervisory Recreation Therapist and Whole Health Program Manager regarding medical center and healthcare system long and short-range planning and assists in the development and implementation of policy which reflects the goals of the agency and VISN. Implements and monitors OSHA goals for Life Safety Management, health and the environment procedures. Reports safety hazards, accidents and injuries. Implements, monitors and reviews hazardous materials/Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/waste management, fire protection. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 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: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. 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 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required 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: Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 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: GS-13 Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to independently provide treatment in complex cases. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, productivity within the service. Skill in interpersonal relationships and conflict management. Ability to use evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools. Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service. Knowledge related to administrative functions, such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management. Preferred Experience: Licensure or certification in field 5+ years of supervisory experience 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-13. Physical Requirements: The position requires intermittent walking or standing for up to 25% of the tour and driving between Austin, Temple, and Waco sites. As needed, the employee may be exposed to the elements outside where activities are held. The employee must be able to verbally communicate, read, write, and use computers without impairment. Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds. Light carrying, under 20 pounds Both hands required Walking or standing, 1-2 hours One eye required, corrective lenses okay Hearing, hearing aid okay Working closely with others 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/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the NCTRC website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for 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.
