Recreation Therapist (Program Coordinator)

<p>The Program Coordinator is assigned to Recreation Therapy/Creative Arts Therapy Service at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. R.T. Program Coordinator provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services, as well as planning, assessing, and evaluating psychosocial clubhouse program to ensure proper coordination between the program and overall delivery of healthcare within the facility.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>DUTIES MAY INCLUDE HOWEVER ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Demonstrates an advanced competency, which qualifies him/her to perform patient evaluations and treatment procedures independently on patients with a variety of complex diagnoses and disabilities, in addition to serving as clinical expert for the most complex of cases. Evaluates, establishes goals based on evaluation findings, and develops treatment interventions for patients across multiple types of clinical practice. Provides professional oversight and consultation for staff therapists. Implements and modifies as necessary treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimum outcomes. Expected to perform documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports as needed. Uses Recreation Therapy expertise for direct service delivery to patients. Acts as a subject matter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals. Serves as Recreation Therapy representative on interdisciplinary teams as assigned or needed. Analyzes clinically appropriate data and makes recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within services. Consultation with patients, their families, and caregivers, Program Coordinator shall educate as required regarding treatment interventions and goals, in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Demonstrates ability and competency in treating patients that range in age from young adult to geriatric who may experience complex medical or mental health issues. Coordinates clinical activities within the workgroup. Adheres with Medical Center policies. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy. 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. Facilitates program development, outcome management, and strategic planning. Promotes effective communication with all patients, caregivers, treatment team members, Medical Center staff, and community partners. Acts as liaison between staff, volunteers, or trainees, and serves as an immediate supervisor to resolve informal complaints and concerns activities. Maintains professional competence through participation in appropriate educational. Leads and directs staff to implement evidence-based recreation and/or creative arts therapy approaches to patients with varied treatment needs and skill level. Participates in staff orientation, successfully completes Medical Center assigned mandatory trainings, and in-service activities. Has knowledge of procedures and policies to provide oversight and training for auxiliary staff, volunteers, and trainees. Deliver treatment in compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) accrediting agencies and VHA directives. Program Coordinator meets the needs of customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, volunteers, co-workers, facility staff and the general public) supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and interacts with customers in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner; while providing consistent information in accordance with established policies and procedures. Preferred Experience: Experience in Outpatient Mental Health. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 14095F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.</p><h3>Requirements</h3>You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 evaluation. 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.<h3>Education</h3>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/.