Responsible for overall supervision of well-being creative arts/recreation section of Whole Health System of Care. May have supervisory responsibility over other well-being staff. Responsible for assessing, planning & evaluating creative arts/recreation therapy program ensuring proper coordination between the delivery of services & overall health care. Supports facility mission & coordinates creative arts/recreation therapy activities with other services/units/clinics & local community.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/26/2025 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 creative arts therapist (art), creative arts therapist (dance/movement), creative arts therapist (drama) and creative arts therapist (music). You must possess one of the following: Creative Arts Therapist (Art) (a) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in art therapy approved by the American Art Therapy Association on or before June 30, 2016. If the degree is received after June 30, 2016, a master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with a major in art therapy, must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Art Therapy Education: a committee of the Commission on Accreditation on Allied Health Education Program. OR, (b) A master's degree in a related field, plus graduate coursework and supervised field experience in art therapy. Acceptable related fields include: Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, Psychology, Addictions Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, and Psychiatry, AND must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration as a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) approved by the Art Therapy Credentials Board. If hired under this education, the registration cannot be waived. Creative Arts Therapist (Dance/Movement) (a) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major or an emphasis in dance therapy or dance/movement therapy. The degree must be approved by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA). OR, (b) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a board-certified dance/movement therapist (BC-DMT) approved by the Dance/Movement Therapy Certification Board (DMTCB). If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived. NOTE. Dance/movement therapy coursework that began on or after March 15,2013, must have been approved by the ADTA subcommittee for the approval of alternate route courses. Creative Arts Therapist (Drama) (a) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a drama degree program approved by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA). OR, (b) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a registered drama therapist (RDT). The RDT is granted by the NADTA and indicates that one has met the educational requirements and achieved competency in the practice of drama therapy. If hired under this education, the registration cannot be waived. Creative Arts Therapist (Music) (a) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, in music therapy, or in music with an emphasis in music therapy. The degree must be approved by the National Association for Schools of Music and/or the American Music Therapy Association. OR, (b) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived. 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. Registration or Certification: Must possess one of the following: Creative Arts Therapy (Art). Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration with the ATR. If hired under paragraph 3b(2)(b), registration cannot be waived. Creative Arts Therapy (Drama). Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration as an RDT. If hired under paragraph 3b(4)(b), registration cannot be waived. Creative Arts Therapy (Dance/Movement). Applicants must be board-certified in dance/movement therapy by the DMTCB. If hired under paragraph 3b(3)(b), certification cannot be waived. Creative Arts Therapy (Music). Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under paragraph 3b(5)(b), certification cannot be waived. Loss of Credential: A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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: Supervisory Creative Arts Therapist, GS-12 Experience. At least 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: Ability to provide treatment in complex cases and to work with great independence Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems and develop and implement effective solutions Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance and productivity within the service Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders and managers Ability to use evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service. Knowledge related to administrative functions such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management. Preferred Experience: 1+ year experience in the VHA in the Creative Arts. Previous or current experience with assessment and treatment in an outpatient setting. Previous experience creating programs for a wide range of Veterans. Ability to assess and treat patients with chronic pain using a biopsychosocial approach. 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. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Clinical Ensuring treatment plans develop all CAT/Recreation Therapists to promote the goals of the program in which each Veteran is participating Developing and implementing recreation therapy-creative arts programs Keeping abreast of current scientific, technological, theoretical and treatment modality changes, as well as management theory relating to the provision of recreation therapy Developing and implementing recreation therapy programs using principles of evidenced-based practice to establish and/or improve recreation therapy guidelines Management/Administration Responsible for the overall supervision of the employees assigned to the Wellbeing/RT section Actively recruiting potential candidates, interviewing applicants and coordinating in the selection process with Human Resources, selecting best candidates, orienting new employees, creating employee performance standards, completing semi­annual/annual performance appraisals, recommending performance awards/promotions, and training Recommending and initiating counseling and disciplinary actions for subordinates, as guided by Human Resources Management, Union contracts and Recreation policies Responsible for conducting an evaluation of the competency of each staff member to assure he/she possesses the necessary skills to successfully complete assigned duties Developing position descriptions or functional statements and determining the level of competency necessary to meet mandatory job requirements Resource Management Analyzing current use and projects needs for formulation of the annual service budget estimating operating requirements including staffing, equipment, supplies, and services Maintaining RT fund-control point and general post accounts as an approving official, as specified in policy Quality Improvement Assisting in the development of the performance improvement program to continually monitor therapy functions of WH & HS staff for quality and appropriateness of CAT/recreation therapy Assuring the well being/recreation therapy program is in compliance with applicable standards established by OSHA, VHA, JC, CARF and other reviewing agencies Education and Employee Development Overseeing a continuing staff development program for therapists and therapy assistants May serve as a mentor or preceptor for any creative arts/recreation therapy student Instructing, supervising and evaluating student/intern Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54537F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized