Supervisory Recreation Therapy (Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist)

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.

01Basic 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).

02Education

The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist: (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.

03Certification

Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 4b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived. 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).

04Grade Determinations

Supervisory Recreation Therapist, GS-12 (a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level GS-11. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:1. Ability to provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence.2.

Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.3. 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.4. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.5.

Ability to use evidence-based practices, clinical practice guidelines in a professional area, and to guide the staff in applying these tools.6. Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service.7. Knowledge related to administrative functions such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management.

05Preferred Experience

Experience providing leadership, supervision, or oversight of recreation therapy, creative arts therapy, or related clinical rehabilitation services, including staff assignments, performance management, mentoring , and conflict resolution. Experience coordinating, developing, implementing, and evaluation therapeutic recreation, creative arts therapy, or rehabilitation programs for patients with complex physical, cognitive, behavioral health, or psychosocial needs.

Experience managing clinical operations, including staffing, scheduling, workload and productivity monitoring, resource allocation, and documentation compliance. Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, organizational leadership, community partners, or other stakeholders to improve patient care and program outcomes. 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.

06Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Major Duties The Supervisor Recreation Therapist supports the Tomah VAMC in the activities involved in the management of the RCAT Department and maintains a leadership role in the professional standards for all Tomah VAMC recreation/creative arts therapists and assistants. Assign work, monitoring clinical performances of staff, resolving staff conflicts which may interfere with the delivery of services, identifying continuing education and training needs, preparing performance standards and ratings.

The supervisor accepts, amends, or rejects completed work, and ensures that performance requirements are maintained. Maintains interdepartmental relations with other services/departments, individuals, and community partners to accomplish medical center goals. Provides daily clinical supervision for recreation and creative arts therapists and assistants, ensures staff supervised are planning and implementing treatment while evaluating staff's performance.

Balances multiple responsibilities, sets priorities, delegate tasks, meets multiple deadlines, analyzes organizational problems, and develops and implements effective solutions. Clinical portion consistent with Recreation Therapist standards which include Veteran evaluation and treatment, organization activities, coverage for diversional activities as indicated, performance of RAI/MDS, documentation. Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10574F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized