Summary
This position is located in the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS), Recreation Therapy (RT) section at the Durham VA Health Care System. The position will serve the residents of the Community Living Center and assist in outpatient services. Therapist provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services.
Duties
Receives consults and conducts, analyzes, interprets, and reports assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure) Constructs appropriate and evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues Conducts ongoing evaluations of therapy results and modifies, redirects, adjusts, and augments treatment plans as indicated by each patient's response and progress in the light of each patient's physical, emotional, mental and social needs; skills, aptitudes, abilities and interests Provides a considerable variety of therapy services as both adjunctive and primary therapeutic services, depending on the need When serving on multidisciplinary treatment teams, therapists use professional knowledge and skills in the integration of recreation therapy into overall team treatment plans Exercises resourcefulness in providing individualized, unique effective methods and procedures when implementing therapeutic interventions Evaluates patient needs for additional, alternative, or termination of services and monitor effectiveness of intervention plans and makes modifications, as needed Determines effectiveness of protocols, modalities and programs for targeted groups through quantitative analysis and identifies potential risks and need for adaptive interventions with cases to facilitate improved bio-psychosocial well-being Participates in co-treatment opportunities including but not limited to: neurological rehabilitation; mental health recovery programs; and palliative care related to the symptoms of a terminal illness Documents clearly and concisely the findings of initial evaluation, treatment interventions, re-evaluations, and discharge notes in accordance with PM&RS procedures and DVA policy Enters Return To Clinic Orders in the computerized patient medical record, (CPRS) in order to comply with established scheduling requirements and ensure that veterans are served in a timely manner Gives lectures on various treatment techniques and provides on-the-job demonstrations of treatment interventions Responsible for establishing the policy and procedures for patient participation in all National Veterans Programs Makes the final determination of whether patient will participate in National Programs based on medical status, behavior and compliance in registration and preparation process Responsible for all pre-event preparations, including meetings, ensuring patients complete application in a timely manner, and coordinating and maintaining an open line of communication with National Team for National Program Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 8am - 430pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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/.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.