Student Trainee (Recreation & Creative Arts Therapy)

This position is in the Recreation & Creative Arts Therapy (RCAT) Service under the Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences Service of the Miami VA Medical Center. Basic assignment is to serve as and undergraduate or Graduate Student/Recreation Therapist/Creative Arts Therapist in the development and implementation of an RCAT Treatment Program to meet patient's needs. The program provides orientation, training, and familiarization with the work processes of Recreation Therapy/Creative Arts Therapy.Qualifications: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.
Requirements for initial appointment:
For GS-4:
Possess a Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree. (The required education must lead to a bachelor's degree with specialization in or directly related to the field in which the Student Trainees will receive training on the job. The degree of specialization in this field must satisfy on graduation the specific educational requirements in the qualification standard for the corresponding two-grade interval positions.) You must submit a copy of your college transcripts. Unofficial or photocopies are acceptable at time of initial application. OR
For GS-4:
Possess (a) Completion of 1 academic year of study and two periods of Student Trainee work experience; or (b) completion of 1 academic years of study and one period of Student Trainee work experience. (This work experience must be documented in your resume.) You must submit a copy of your college transcripts. Unofficial or photocopies are acceptable at time of initial application. OR
For GS-5:
Possess a completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field, Student Trainees may be reassigned or promoted in the appropriate target series to GS-5, if they meet the qualification requirements of the target occupation, including minimum educational requirements. You must submit a copy of your college transcripts. Unofficial or photocopies are acceptable at time of initial application.
NOTE: HOURS WORKED CANNOT BE COUNTED TOWARDS CLINICAL INTERNSHIP HOURS FOR CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR DEGREES.
You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Psychological Assessment
• Psychology
• Technical Competence
• Therapy and Counseling

Explanation of terms

An academic year of undergraduate education is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in an accredited college or university.

For purposes of this standard, a period of Student Trainee work experience is the equivalent of 2 months (320 hours) of full-time work experience.

IMPORTANT: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such 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; religious; 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.
Physical Requirements: Work requires physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. Prolonged standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking are regular. Moderate to heavy lifting (between 5-50 pounds) is required for assisting patients. Sitting is required for meetings, and administrative work.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.Education: IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).Employment Type: PART_TIME