Summary The Recreation Therapist is assigned to Whole Health Service at the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System. This encompasses providing Recreation Therapy services in a multitude of domains and capacities for the care of Veterans and for the growth of the Whole Health System of Care at VA Pacific Islands Health Care System. Responsibilities The Recreation Therapist promotes health and well-being through various methods, including conducting Whole Health classes, offering well-being opportunities, and providing treatment interventions incorporating the four step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services. The Recreation Therapist offers multiple opportunities for Veterans to engage in optimal health and well-being through the Whole Health System of Care. The duties and responsibilities will be carried out in settings throughout the health care system as needed, including but not limited to face-to-face, virtual, telephone, and clinical/patient care areas involved with Whole Health. Major duties include but are not limited to the following: Clinical Provides opportunities for Veterans to optimize health and well-being and equip Veterans with opportunities to engage in behaviors that matter most to them. Utilizes personal health planning as a method of offering interventions consistent with Veteran's personalized goals. Evaluates, establishes goals based on evaluation findings, and develops treatment interventions. Implements and modifies as necessary treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimum outcomes. The Recreation Therapist is expected to perform documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports as needed. Uses Recreation Therapy expertise for direct service delivery to patients. Acts as a subject matter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals. Administration Works with other members of staff to promote the Whole Health System of Care, including, but not limited to attending committee meetings and community promotion. Attend scheduled meetings and other educational and professional meetings; interdisciplinary team meetings, department staff meetings, performance improvement meetings, workshops relevant to populations and recreation programs (e.g., Community of Practice calls), attend pertinent community and professional organizational meetings, and relevant webinars related to the Whole Health System of Care and recreation therapy. Adheres with Medical Center policies. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy. Participates in the evaluation of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery. Education Maintains education in Whole Health System of Care. Maintains professional competence through participation in appropriate educational activities. Assists in teaching and providing learning experiences for Recreation Therapy clinical interns as required. Participates in staff orientation, successfully completes Medical Center assigned mandatory trainings, and in-service activities. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm, possible Saturday rotation Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000/Recreation Therapist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 Basic Requirements: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 3. 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. 4. Certification: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). *If hired under education option (b), certification cannot be waived. Grandfathering Provision: 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 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: i. 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. ii. 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. iii. 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. iv. 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. v. Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. vi. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits. 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 GS-11. Physical Requirements: The position requires sedentary items to complete administrative duties. Walking, standing, some lifting, bending, stooping to assist disabled clients with mobilization, active involvement with clients in a variety of recreation therapy programs, driving motor vehicles (vans/car). This position requires the ability to provide quick action in an emergency situation. Crisis situations may involve intervention in potential suicide, assault, homicide, barricade, and hostage situations. 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 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. 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.