Recreation Therapist (Program Coordinator)

Description:

The Program Coordinator carries out programmatic and administrative responsibilities that involve oversight for operations, interagency coordination of care, program evaluation and analysis and planning. They are responsible for daily program operations, developing policies and procedures, coordinating clinical assignments, and preparing reports. The incumbent ensures proper coordination between care delivered by the program and overall delivery of healthcare within the facility.

Requirements:

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) 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.
(c) Foreign Education To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. The private organization must deem such education at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

Certification:

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

Grade Determinations :

Experience: At lease 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. 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 prioritize 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.

Preferred Experience: Applicants must be certified as a personal trainer.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G60, dated June 7, 2019

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: VA Handbook 5019/1, Part II, Pre-Placement Physical Examination and Evaluation.