Supervisory Recreation Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Queens, NY

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Recreation Therapist serves in a dual administrative and clinical role, providing full administrative oversight of the Recreation/Creative Arts Therapy Service at VA NY Harbor Healthcare System while maintaining a caseload of residents in the Community Living Center (CLC). The position supervises and manages clinical staff and provides strategic planning, fiscal and program management, and direct patient care.

The supervisor oversees Recreation and Creative Arts Therapists, Recreation Therapy Assistants, trainees, and volunteers. Responsibilities include assigning work, monitoring workload and clinical volume, reviewing work for accuracy, managing staff performance and competencies, and promoting efficient operations through analysis of organizational issues and use of data. The supervisor guides staff in evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines.

The role includes evaluating patients, setting goals, developing and modifying treatment plans, delivering recreation therapy, and providing professional oversight and consultation to staff. The incumbent contributes to interdisciplinary care, coordinates treatment and scheduling with other services, and consults with physicians and rehabilitation and other health professionals. The position also manages fiscal resources, supplies, equipment, clinical programs, staff education, and interdepartmental relationships. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some weekends and evenings required. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A bachelor's degree or higher in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure with an option or emphasis in therapeutic recreation, with the degree 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 certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), with the degree approved by NCTRC.
• Current certification in recreation therapy as a CTRS by NCTRC; certification cannot be waived for applicants qualifying through the bachelor's-degree-in-any-field route.
• At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.
• Demonstrated ability to provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence.
• Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to analyze operational problems and use data to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity.
• Interpersonal skills for dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
• Ability to use evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines and guide staff in applying them.
• Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies that support service goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of fiscal, material supply, equipment, clinical, and program management functions.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination or evaluation and complete a background/security investigation and onboarding requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must complete a one- or two-year trial period, subject to evaluation and written certification for continued employment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Must meet applicable education accreditation requirements; foreign education used to qualify must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative oversight and direction for the Recreation/Creative Arts Therapy Service while maintaining a clinical caseload in the CLC.
• Supervise Recreation and Creative Arts Therapists, Recreation Therapy Assistants, trainees, and volunteers, including assigning work, monitoring workload and clinical volume, reviewing work, and monitoring competencies.
• Manage staff performance, including resolving staff conflicts, preparing performance standards and ratings, and recommending appointments, advancements, or disciplinary actions as appropriate.
• Analyze organizational and operational problems and use data to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity; develop and implement solutions that support efficient operations.
• Guide staff in applying evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines.
• Manage fiscal resources, material supplies, equipment, clinical services, and programs.
• Evaluate patients, establish goals, develop and modify treatment interventions and plans, and provide recreation therapy services, including treatment in complex cases.
• Provide professional oversight, consultation, and subject-matter expertise to staff, students, and healthcare professionals.
• Represent Recreation Therapy on interdisciplinary teams and consult with physicians, rehabilitation team members, and other health professionals through case presentations, rounds, clinics, treatment and discharge meetings, and educational events.
• Coordinate recreation and creative arts therapy treatment, scheduling, and care delivery with other sections and services.
• Maintain professional competence and certification through continuing education.
• Maintain interdepartmental relationships with other services, individuals, and community partners.
• Teach and provide learning opportunities for therapists, assistants, and clinical interns or trainees.
• Follow Medical Center policies and procedures, use the Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with procedures, and comply with ADP security policy.
• Ensure staff orientation and competency assessment, support continuing education and training, and develop policies, procedures, performance standards, position descriptions, and functional statements as applicable.
• Manage assigned administrative functions, including time and attendance and leave management, and conduct staff meetings as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior