Summary The Supervisory Recreation Therapist is for the Martinsburg VA Medical Center, which is aligned under Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services (PR&RS). This position serves as the professional advisor for all recreation therapy and creative arts therapy clinical matters. The incumbent is primarily responsible for the supervision, organization and maintenance of all patient care areas that offer treatment services through the Recreation/Creative Arts Therapy Service (RT/CAT). Responsibilities Duties includes but are not limited to: Application of a knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices of recreation/creative arts therapy, and the use of evidenced based recreational modalities to treat the physical, mental. emotional. and social needs of individual patients, groups of patients and families; maintain or rehabilitate patients' physical and/or mental health; or palliate symptoms related to terminal illness. The occupation requires the application of professional medical rehabilitative, therapeutic and palliative principles based on a medical prescription or a medical referral, and the integration of recreation therapy or creative arts therapy within the total health care plan for the patient. Responsible for coordinating, developing, implementing, and evaluating multiple rehabilitation program services provided by Recreation Therapy. Responsible for developing and implementing a quality improvement program to include risk management, customer satisfaction, infection control, and survey regulatory preparation using a systematic approach, which assures the overall quality of Recreation Therapy. Responsible for adherence to all provision of Equal Opportunity Program in accordance with Office of Personnel Management and Department of Veterans Affairs regulations and medical center guidelines. Responsible for developing and completing the hiring process in coordination with the service chief for PM&RS. The position is responsible for position facility leadership, creating all components of the recruitment packet for HR specialist to use for announcement, and conducting interviews. Incumbent is responsible for all new projects and budgeting within the Recreation Therapy Service. Incumbents manage all phases of team projects that involve a variety of disciplines. Coordinates the compilation of necessary monthly and quarterly statistical reports such as DSS and other significant reports as requested. Serves on special committees and tasks forces as designated by national VACO staff or the Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Other duties assigned Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00AM- 4:30PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 26975-F 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. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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. 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). 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: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist 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. Certification: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the GS-11 grade level. Experience includes conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure). Incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered, the therapist constructs evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues, such as polytrauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), spinal cord injury (SCI), substance use disorder/addictions, serious mental illness (SMI), and hospice/palliative care requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence. 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, and productivity within the service. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. Ability to use evidence-based practices, 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. 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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires extensive walking, standing, bending, pushing, and carrying of light and heavy recreation equipment to many areas of the Medical Center and in organizing the physical environment for various recreation projects, activities, and special events. Education Additional Information Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care 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.
