This position is located within the Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) Service, Education Section of the Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Healthcare System (VAECHCS) and reports to the Designated Learning Officer (DLO). The primary purpose of the Staff and Leadership Development Program Manager is to lead and drive the development and career growth of staff and leaders across the organization.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States (U.S.). (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)) Education: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist: 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 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. Certification: Required Certification(a)Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 4b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived. 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: Recreation Therapist, GS-12 Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of two years of progressively complex experience, which includes one year equivalent to the next lower grade directly related to the position being filled. AND, Certification: Additional certification in a specialty treatment area in recreation therapy, such as, but not limited to: Physical Medicine/Rehabilitation, Geriatrics, Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral Health, Community Inclusion Services, Aquatic Exercise Therapy/Aquatic Therapy, Adapted Sports, Assisted Technology, Social Skills, etc., or in a directly related field such as, but not limited to: acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, dementia, dialectical behavioral therapy, gambling disorder, motivational interviewing, and/or wellness recovery action plan facilitator. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of best practice and evidence-based recreation therapy across multiple areas of practice. Ability to perform clinical services and balance organizational responsibilities while developing and implementing effective strategies with great autonomy, at a level compatible with the critical necessity for accuracy and completion. Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment to the complexity of the diagnosis or disability and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in- depth specific assessment. Skill in developing, implementing, and modifying recreation therapy treatment plans in response to changing medical, physical, mental, psychological and/or psychosocial conditions, as well as comorbidities. Ability to provide clinical guidance using the advanced knowledge of best practice and evidence-based recreation therapy implementation across multiple areas of practice. Knowledge of how recreation therapy impacts revenue resource allocation, as it relates to complex diagnosis, treatment, and diagnostic coding. Preferred Experience: Training and facilitation experience. Program coordination or management. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range 12. Physical Requirements: The work entails no special physical demands although some physical effort may be required relative to moving equipment and supplies throughout the department and to various parts of the facility as necessitated by educational programming. Work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing and moving education equipment. Manual dexterity is required to work educational equipment systems and controls. Fieldwork will involve travel (up to half of the time), providing training, attending meetings, or gathering information.
Applies expert knowledge of sound educational design and/or hospital operations to design, develop, and manage staff and leadership development courses appropriate to the subject matter, learning objectives, environment, and expertise of learners. Course content may be at any level including undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, and professional continuing education. Incumbents must develop and manage programs that are effective in developing hospital staff from wage grade to executive and including practicing clinicians, managers, and executives. Incumbent develops new approaches, methods, and techniques. Applies expert knowledge of project management strategies and principles to develop course work, targeted educational interventions, and series of developmental activities consistent with organizational education priorities and in collaboration with the Designated Learning Officer. Employee/leadership development content includes multiple varied but related topics covering all levels from basic skill through executive competencies which are designed to increase employees' ability to perform at increasing levels of responsibility. Develop course materials and documentation consistent with educational best practices. Customizes materials to meet organizational requirements and learner needs. Content for workforce and leadership development changes rapidly requiring routine changes and adaptations. Maintains knowledge of hospital and educational accreditation requirements for various accrediting bodies across several domains for the purpose of developing entire courses, course content, and instructional activities that meet the necessary accreditation requirements to make continuing education credits available for course participants. Independently develops and delivers classes for learners in areas of orientation, workforce and leadership development. Course content may be at any level including undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, and professional continuing education. Applies professional education and instruction knowledge to deliver engaging, interactive and effective courses. Solves educational problems through unconventional techniques and strategies. Develop coursework by applying innovative educational methodologies to reach new populations or for new situations. Develops classes and instructs course participants using the unique educational technology capabilities of VAECHCS to maximize training effectiveness. Course content requires frequent modification and changes to incorporate new technology and techniques resulting from continuous development and advances in education technology and techniques. Develop course documentation consistent with established standards of educational design. Facilitates evaluation of assigned programs and courses and uses evaluation results to make necessary changes. Incumbent must be able to create substantial adaptations to available course materials and to develop new approaches, methods, and techniques based on changing needs, populations, technologies, and techniques. Assists in selecting, training, and managing additional faculty and instructors for assigned employee/leadership development programs. Responsible for training faculty and for leading training conferences. Develops and delivers training programs to develop faculty, instructors, and coaches, including ways to ensure continued competency, including continued evaluation and oversight. Participates in agency operational or planning meetings, public briefings, or other formal or informal settings where the incumbent publicizes organizational development or educational program accomplishments and solicits resources or other forms of support and cooperation necessary to ensure program success. Serves as liaison with policy-level officials within the agency to ensure that the agency's views and interests are promoted through assigned programs with respect to current and emerging policy issues, and that those views are taken into consideration in policy development and implementation. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM Telework: Ad hoc telework may be authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-58027-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized