Recreation Therapist (Program Coordinator)

Veterans Health Administration; United States; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking an Employee Whole Health Coordinator for the Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (NWIHCS). The role reports to the Whole Health Clinical Director under the Associate Director for Patient Care Services and focuses on developing, managing, and administering health and well-being opportunities for Medical Center employees and CBOC staff.

The coordinator will oversee program development, ensure alignment with VA wellness standards, and collaborate with

Qualifications

• Requires bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or related field with NCTRC approval or CTRS certification.
• Certification as Recreation Therapist is required; non-registered applicants may be temporary under specific VA rules.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and administer health and well-being opportunities for employees within the Medical Center/Health Care System and CBOCs.
• Coordinate and oversee whole health programs to advance employee wellness and engagement.
• Report to the Whole Health Clinical Director and collaborate with other departments to improve employee health outcomes.

Skills

Program coordination

Leadership

Healthcare administration

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Quality improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or CTRS

NCTRC certification or CTRS path

Tools

Regulatory knowledge

Job description

This position serves as the Employee Whole Health Coordinator at Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (NWIHCS) and reports to the Whole Health Clinical Director under the Associate Director for Patient Care Services. The Employee Whole Health Coordinator is responsible for developing, managing, maintaining, planning, and administering health and well-being opportunities for Medical Center/Health Care System and CBOC employees.

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, creative arts therapist (art), creative arts therapist (dance/movement), creative arts therapist (drama), and creative arts therapist (music):

(1) 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.

• Required Certification: 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.

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.

• 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).

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 (Program Coordinator), GS-12

Experience.

At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.

Recreation Therapist, GS-11

• 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• i. Knowledge of management/administration principles, procedures, and practice, which includes supervision, consultation, negotiation, mediation, and monitoring.
• ii.Ability to analyze clinically appropriate data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within services.
• iii. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties when authorized, which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; competency assessments; performance evaluations; selection of staff; recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions when appropriate.
• iv. Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work, evaluate program quality to ensure that methods, deadlines, and standards have been met, and prioriyze the workload.
• v.Ability to effectively communicate goals, objectives, and focused initiatives to an interdisciplinary team, specialized clinical program, or subsection, as well as guide the team members on work methods, practices, standards, and procedures.
• vi. Knowledge of regulatory requirements, interdisciplinary structure, and organizational structure to serve as a liaison between specialty care and other programs that would affect coordination of care, healthcare access, program evaluation, assessment, and planning future needs.
• vii. Skill in employing recognized leadership and managerial methods and strategies, including interpersonal relations and conflict resolution in the management of employees, team leaders, and managers.

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:

You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.