Creative Arts Therapist (Art)

• The incumbent performs specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness. Incumbent incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of veteran patients including making psychosocial and psychiatric observations within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice.
• The incumbent conducts analyzes interprets and reports assessment data upon functional domains (cognitive sensory social affective physical and participatory). Incorporating the four-step process of; assessment planning implementation and evaluation of services delivered the Art Therapist constructs appropriate and evidence-based Art Therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Polytrauma (TBI) Substance Use Disorder/Addictions Serious Mental Illness Hospice/Palliative Care.
• The incumbent is able to provide individual group and family treatment which may be done through a clinic classroom or on the unit setting to treat stress/anxiety and maladaptive behaviors recover basic motor functioning reasoning abilities and build confidence. Sophisticated techniques/strategies used to improve or support clinical outcomes may include but are not limited to developing positive patterns of behavior; teaching relaxation and stress reduction techniques; improving lifestyle alteration; teaching social skills training; developing self-esteem; reinforcing positive relationships; fostering motor learning and training strategies; developing anger and pain management skills; identifying personal risks recovery support lifestyle adjustment and conflict/problem resolution; improving adjustment to disability including coping with grief and loss.
• Exercises resourcefulness in providing individualized unique effective methods and procedures when implementing Art Therapy interventions including but not limited to; assistive technology; cognitive behavioral skills; health promotion and wellness.
• Develops and implements methods for measuring effectiveness of Art Therapy practice and services in specialty areas utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services. Incumbent is able to demonstrate the ability to design changes based on empirical findings.
• Offers consultation to colleagues and students on the Art Therapy treatment of patients rendering professional opinions based on experience and expertise. Fosters effective Art Therapy practice skills.
• The incumbent must possess the ability to organize work set priorities meet multiple deadlines and evaluate assigned program area(s). The incumbent carries full responsibility for cases presenting a wide range of social emotional and environmental problems and will provide services according to the assessment of the veterans needs encompassing even the most difficult cases. The incumbent provides case-appropriate professional Art Therapy services for veterans and families/significant others in compliance with VA VISN station and Creative Arts and Recreation Therapy/PMRS Service policies and memorandums.
• Regularly attends continuing education programs on issues pertaining to Art Therapy.
• Participates in multidisciplinary ward/clinic rounds as needed which includes providing information on patient assessment and progress and information regarding Art Therapy management of patients.
• Uses standard and non-standard methods for evaluation and interpretation of a wide variety of patient functional levels and provides progressive treatment.
• Develops and implements a Art Therapy treatment program using judgment to modify treatment for changing medical conditions or because of a variety of severe physical disabilities.
• Effectively communicates both orally and in writing. Documents assessments goals patient/family education progress and change in treatment or patient condition in medical records accurately. Compiles daily weekly or monthly statistics for ongoing reporting.
• Works effectively with treatment team members and other health care providers in coordinating the patients total care. Prepares in-services to educate pertinent staff and providers on creative arts therapy services.

Conditions of employment

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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.

• 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.

Qualifications

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:

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 creative arts therapist (art)(a) A masters 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 2 June 30 2016. If the degree is received after June 30 2016 a masters 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 masters 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.
Registration .Creative Arts Therapy (Art). Must possess a full current and unrestricted registration with the ATR. If hired under paragraph 4b(2)(b) registration cannot be waived.
Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a recreation or creative arts therapist on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title series and grade held including positive education and registration and/or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.
English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

Recreation Therapist GS-9: Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level or a masters degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required one year of professional recreation therapist experience. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

i. Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient.
ii. Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care and environmental maintenance.
iii. Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients families caregivers and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process.
iv. Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.

Recreation Therapist GS-11 : Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

i. Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment interventions to address the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of unconventional methods and techniques.
ii. Knowledge to independently interpret provider referrals and consults; and apply all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
iii. Skill in effectively communicating and educating in a clear and concise manner with patients families caregivers and other health care professionals to facilitate the interdisciplinary treatment process.
iv. Skill in independently utilizing appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care in areas such as but not limited to recommendations for recreation therapy assistive devices including fit and function. v. Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
vi. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation leisure and biopsychosocial functional deficits.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 9 to 11.

Physical Requirements: