Job description

Recreation Therapist

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Veterans Health Administration

Geriatrics and Extended Care

Summary

Recreation Therapist position is assigned to Geriatrics, Palliative and Extended Care Services at the San Francisco VA Community Living Center (including veterans' hospice, dementia care, behavioral/mental health needs, respite, short stay rehab, short stay skilled, long stay continuing care, long stay dementia care).

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to all U.S. Citizens. If you are a current employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, please apply to announcement CBSW-11868226-23-LLT

Duties

Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position:

Recreation Therapist will be responsible for the following duties under close supervision and guidance from the supervisor:

• Within Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy Services (RCATS) scope of practice, the Recreation Therapist will conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains with supervisor review (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure). The Recreation Therapist provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities. The therapist constructs appropriate and evidence-based recreation therapy group and individual interventions for treating veterans with complex medical or mental health issues such as Polytrauma (TBI); Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Substance Use Disorder/Addictions; Serious Mental Illness; Complex Dementia Care; Hospice/Palliative Care; Long Stay Continuing Care; Long Stay Dementia Care; Short Stay Rehabilitation; Short Stay Skilled Care; and Respite Care to include adaptive skills in planning, implementation, and evaluation of safe community reintegration within the CLC, on campus, on off campus outings as appropriate with screening and evaluation techniques, including discharge plans with guidance from RCATS Supervisor subject to regular chart audit review.
• The Therapist may borrow a government vehicle to drive or to coordinate a SFVA driver to accompany RCATS/veterans on a purposeful, community reintegration outing with supervision and support.
• Based upon the assessment data and in collaboration with other stakeholders, the Therapist is expected to perform documentation of individual veteran care including initial, quarterly, and significant change assessments with measurable goals and objectives, including scope, duration, and treatment along with progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, discharge plans, community resource planning, and other reports and documentation to meet productivity measures with direct supervision and review. With supervision, serves as Recreation Therapy representative on interdisciplinary teams and meetings as assigned or needed. In consultation with veterans, their families, and caregivers, the Therapist shall educate as required regarding treatment interventions and goals, in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Demonstrates ability and competency in treating veterans that range in age from young adult to geriatric who may experience complex medical or mental health concerns with Supervisory Recreation and Creative Arts Therapist's regular guidance during the appointment of this position. Focus upon awareness and meeting national VA Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy documentation and programmatic standards for productivity in regard to involving/ engaging Community Living Center veterans in their leisure preferences as well as enhance their quality of living.
• Uses Recreation Therapy entry level skills for direct service delivery to veterans. Shares trained fundamental knowledge as a Recreation Therapist to staff, students, volunteers, and other healthcare professionals.
• The Therapist will provide care and rehabilitation to veterans with a variety of abilities and living with amputation, paralysis, neurological disorders, orthopedic conditions, behavioral health, psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, wound care, respiratory disorders, chronic cardiovascular diseases, post traumatic stress disorder and veterans with multiple diagnoses. The Therapist demonstrates entry level competency, which qualifies him/her to perform patient evaluations and treatment procedures on veterans with a variety of complex diagnoses and abilities subject to supervisor's guidance and review.

Location: San Francisco, CA

Salary: $57,778 - $111,157 per year

Pay Scale & Grade:GS-7/11

Work Schedule: To be determined by supervisor, Compressed 9 and 8-hour shifts, which may include evenings and weekends
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Below are the San Francisco, CA salary breakdown of each grade level:

• GS-07 Salary Range: $ 57,778.00 to $ 75,111.00 per annual
• GS-09 Salary Range: $ 70,674.00 to $ 91,873.00 per annual
• GS-11 Salary Range: $ 85,508.00 to $ 111,157.00 per annual

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.
• 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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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
• Recreation Therapist. 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, the candidate must be registered and/or certified.
• Failure to Obtain Registration/Certification. In all cases, recreation and creative arts therapists must actively pursue meeting registration and/or certification requirements, starting from the date of appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unregistered and/or uncertified recreation or creative arts therapist with the written requirement to obtain registration/certification, the date by which the registration and/or certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming registered and/or certified by the deadline. Failure to become registered and/or certified within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation, and may result in termination of employment.
• Loss of Credential. A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.

• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• 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-9Experience/Education

At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level, or a master's degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required one year of professional recreation therapist experience.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
(1) Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient.
(2) Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance.
(3) Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process.
(4) Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.

GS-11
Experience
At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(1) 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.(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
(6) Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits.

Preferred Experience:
Experience in substance abuse and/or gambling disorders. Experience working in a behavioral health setting.

References: VA Handbook 5005/111, PART II, APPENDIX G60. RECREATION AND CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0638, Veterans Health Administration, dated June 7, 2019.

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: 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 and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; pushing or pulling heavy objects; leading or directing physical exercise. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures, as well as skill and ability in the therapist's creative arts discipline.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

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 vaccinatedagainst 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $57,778.00 - $111,157.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• San Francisco, CA 94121: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Please see position requirements on job posting
• Must be a U.S. Citizen

License/Certification:

• CTRS (Required)

Work Location: One location

jjbodyshop.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, jjbodyshop.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, jjbodyshop.com is the ideal place to find your next job.