Find & Apply For Recreation / Activities Worker Jobs in Battle Creek, Michigan

The Supervisory Recreation Therapist will be responsible for the administrative management and clinical leadership of the Recreation Therapy Program. The Incumbent directly supervises a multi-disciplinary staff assigned to the Recreation Therapy Department and are responsible for planning, organizing and directing the administrative, operational, patient and personnel activities, and is available for consultation and administrative coverage for other Social Work Service Programs.

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:

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. Education must have been obtained from an accredited program recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained.

Certification:

Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 4b(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.

English Language Proficiency:

Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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-12 Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level, GS-11. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: with independent judgment to administer and interpret recreation therapy assessments and utilize clinical competencies to develop unconventional assessment and interview approaches to effectively elicit information; conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure); 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; develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration, and treatment. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities . In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following

KSAs:

i. Ability to provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence. ii. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions. iii. 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. iv. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers. v. Ability to use evidence-based practices, clinical practice guidelines in a professional area, and to guide the staff in applying these tools. vi. Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service. vii. 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.

Physical Requirements:

Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. Recreation Therapists must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the applicant or others. Position requires walking throughout the clinic, and the Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams. Recreation Therapists drive government vehicles and may transport Veterans to and from recreational interventions in the community. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

NOTE:

Position requires driving to sites of care, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a computer, in a car, and in counsel and consultation with Veterans, community partners and interdisciplinary teams.