Recreation Therapist

• Incumbent is responsible for managing the Recreation Therapy and Volunteer programs for patients with vision-related disabilities and other comorbidities who are admitted in the Community Living Center (CLC). Incumbent reports to Recreational Therapist supervisor/ Chief of Geriatric Extended Care (GEC).
• The Recreation Therapist plans and carries out a full range of treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex and the procedures require the application of highly specialized skills and knowledge.
• Incumbent works with patients who have vision loss and may have additional disabilities or physical conditions and varying levels of cognitive impairment. Incumbent manages the units Volunteer program scheduling and tracking all Volunteers making assignments developing and checking competencies and coordinating their activities throughout the Community Living Center (CLC).
• Incumbent requires integration of the Recreation Therapy service with all GEC departments.
• The Recreation Therapist may be required to travel to special national events or training seminars. Flexible scheduling is required as activities may take place early evenings and weekends.
• Serves as the Recreation Therapist for the Community Living Center.
• Performs and documents complex assessments and treatment plans while interacting as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team. Designs and implements treatment activities and recreation programs in clinical and community settings to meet the assessed needs of Veterans admitted in CLC.
• Utilizes appropriate motivational and leadership approaches.
• Develops and evaluates treatment programs in consideration of the age and desires of Veterans.
• The Recreation Therapist demonstrates competence knowledge and skills necessary to provide services appropriate to the individual circumstances of the Veteran.
• The Recreation Therapist must also be able to assess data reflective of the Veterans life circumstances and medical history in order to develop appropriate patient-based treatment plans and activities as well as individualized post-discharge leisure and recreation plans.
• Programs include but are not limited to leisure education and skills sensory stimulation community reintegration life skills social skills training re-motivation values clarification stress management and integrated use of adaptive equipment sensory modalities and coping techniques. This is realized through comprehensive Evaluation and Assessment program planning and provision integration with all CLC-GEC departments and community-based follow-up.
• Provides clinical supervision to professional level Recreation Therapy Interns Work-study students and Recreation Aides.
• Coordinates the activities of Volunteers. This responsibility includes recruitment selection and training.
• Provides the Chief of GEC and the healthcare groups Recreation Therapy supervisor with administrative information including but not limited to workload and caseload statistics quality improvement and program planning information program evaluation data staffing needs etc.
• Collaborates maintains liaison and provides in-service training with the CLC interdisciplinary team as well as other medical center services and staff to ensure a cooperative and well-planned approach to patient care.
• The Recreation Therapist coordinates with community agencies and individuals to arrange for patient community reintegration and discharge planning. The incumbent also serves as a resource to patients and families in the area of Recreation Therapy.

Work Schedule: Full-time Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Compressed/Flexible:
Telework: Not authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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.
• 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 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.

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)).
• English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education:
  • (a) A bachelors 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); (Transcripts are required to be submitted with your application)
  • OR
  • (b) A bachelors 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. (Transcripts are required to be submitted with your application)
• Required Certification for Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(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-11

(a) Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities.
In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation leisure and biopsychosocial functional deficits.
• Preferred Experience: At least two years of professional recreational therapy or therapeutic recreation experience in healthcare rehabilitation behavioral health long-term care or community-based clinical setting.

References: June 7 2019 VA Handbook 5005/111 Part II Appendix full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical mental and emotional capacities without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.