Supervisory Creative Arts Therapist

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. Open to the Public.

The Supervisory Creative Arts Therapist serves in a dual administrative/clinical position with full authority and responsibility for providing administrative oversight for the Recreation/Creative Arts Therapy Service at VA NY Harbor Healthcare System in addition to maintaining a caseload in the CLC. The Supervisor reports to the Chief, Recreation/Creative Arts Therapy (Supervisory Creative Arts Therapist) at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System.Duties may include but are not limited to:

Supervisory

• Supervisory responsibilities for all Recreation and Creative Arts Therapists, Recreation Therapy Assistants, trainees, and volunteers in the delivery and/or support of treatment and education of patients and families within the scope of this position.
• Demonstrates independence in performing supervisory responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, assigning work to employees, monitoring workload and clinical volume, reviewing work of employees to assure accuracy and validity of submissions, imposing disciplinary measures, and monitoring clinical competencies.
• Analyzes 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.
• Uses evidence-based practices, clinical practice guidelines in a professional area, and to guide the staff in applying these tools.

Clinical

• Responsible for administrative functions such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management.
• 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.
• Uses Creative Arts 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.
• Consults with physicians, members of the rehabilitation team and other health professionals through case presentations, attendance at ward rounds, re-evaluation clinics, treatment and discharge meetings and educational lectures or conferences. Coordinates with other sections and other services in the area of RT/CAT treatment, treatment scheduling, and delivery of care.

Administrative

• Adheres to Medical Center policies and procedures. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy.
• Maintains professional competence and certification through participation in continuing education.
• The supervisor maintains interdepartmental relations with other services/departments, individuals, and community partners to accomplish medical center goals.

Education

• Assists in teaching and providing learning opportunities for Recreation, Art, and Music Therapists, Recreation Assistants, and Recreation/Art/Music Therapy clinical interns/trainees as required.
• Adheres to Medical Center policies and procedures. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy.
• Implements and modifies as necessary treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimum outcomes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, some weekend/evenings required
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 14447F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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 physical examination/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.

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Supervisory Recreation Therapist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education:
  • Creative Arts Therapist (Art)
    • 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 3 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,
    • 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 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
    • 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).
  • Creative Arts Therapist (Drama)
    • 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
    • A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a registered drama therapist (RDT).
  • Creative Arts Therapist (Music)
    • 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
    • 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.
• 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.
  • Creative Arts Therapy (Drama). Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration as an RDT. If hired under paragraph 4b(4)(b), registration cannot be waived.
• Certification:
  • Creative Arts Therapy (Dance/Movement). Applicants must be board-certified in dance/movement therapy by the DMTCB. If hired under paragraph 4b(3)(b), certification cannot be waived.
  • Creative Arts Therapy (Music). Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under paragraph 4b(5)(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).

Supervisory Creative Arts Therapist, GS-12
Grade Determinations: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs

1. Ability to provide treatment in complex cases and to work with great independence.
2. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
3. 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.
4. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
5. Ability to use evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area, and to guide the staff in applying these tools.
6. Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service.
7. Knowledge related to administrative functions such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management.

Preferred Experience:

• Skills in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, customers and leadership.
• Knowledge in supervisory and administrative duties such as time management, conflict resolution, program development, workload distribution, and employee engagement and professional development.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-12 grade level.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Assignments. For all assignments above the full-performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Supervisors at this level are typically found in complexity level 2 or level 3 medical centers. They are responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of program services. They evaluate programs to ensure proper coordination with the overall delivery of health care. The incumbent has full administrative oversight for planning and directing the staff assignments in a variety of clinical settings to include art, dance/movement, drama, and music therapies. They have responsibility for general or technical supervision of key clinical and training programs. Typical duties include: assigning work; monitoring clinical performances of staff; resolving staff conflicts, which may interfere with the delivery of services; identifying continuing education and training needs; and preparing performance standards and ratings. They interview candidates for positions, recommend appointments, advancements, or when appropriate, disciplinary actions. The supervisor accepts, amends, or rejects completed work, and ensures that performance requirements are met. They ensure compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements, establish and monitor the quality of the pre-analytical processes as part of the overall service's quality management program, and take corrective action as needed. The supervisor ensures orientation and competency assessment of assigned staff. The supervisor develops policies and procedures, manages document control, develops performance standards, position descriptions and functional statements, and is responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area, to include time and attendance and leave management. The supervisor conducts department meetings at regular intervals to convey information to staff. The supervisor maintains interdepartmental relations with other services/departments, individuals, and community partners to accomplish medical center goals and may provide clinical treatment in the most complex of cases.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Creative Arts Therapy (Dance/Movement) - Applicants must be board-certified in dance/movement therapy by the DMTCB.
• Creative Arts Therapy (Music) - Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT.
• Certification in a specialty treatment area in art therapy such as, but not limited to: Trauma Informed Art Therapy, Focused-Oriented Art Therapy, Photo Therapy, Mandala Assessment Research Instrument (MARI®), Art Therapy Analytics, or in a directly related field such as dementia, motivational interviewing, and/or cognitive behavior therapy.
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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