Recreation Therapist

Duties include but not limited to:
Clinical

• Evaluates establishes goals based on evaluation findings and develops treatment interventions.
• Implements and modifies as necessary treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimum outcomes.
• The Recreation Therapist is expected to perform documentation of patient care including assessments progress notes encounters consultations care plans and other reports as needed.
• Uses Recreation 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.
• In consultation with patients their families and caregivers Recreation Therapist shall educate as required regarding treatment interventions and goals in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes.
• Demonstrates ability and competency in treating patients that range in age from young adult to geriatric who may experience complex medical or mental health issues.

Administration

• Adheres with Medical Center policies. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy.
• Participates in the evaluation of equipment and supplies which affect their service delivery.
• Fosters and maintains a safe treatment area.
• Promotes effective communication with all patients caregivers treatment team members Medical Center staff and community partners.

Education

• Maintains professional competence through participation in appropriate educational activities.
• Assists in teaching and providing learning experiences for Recreation Therapy clinical interns as required.
• Participates in staff orientation successfully completes Medical Center assigned mandatory trainings and in-service activities.
• Deliver treatment in compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) accrediting agencies and VHA directives.

Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
• 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:
United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements possessing a degree in an approved degree program by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC):

• 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)
• OR
• 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.

Certification. Applicants must be certified in Recreation Therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC.

• Exception. Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the 5 eligibility requirements for registration and/or certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation or creative arts therapist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B) for a period not to exceed two years. Applicants who fail to obtain registration and/or certification during this temporary full-time appointment may be terminated. The exception only applies to positions at the GS-7 and GS-9 level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level the candidate must be registered and/or certified.

English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)

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:GS-07 None beyond basic requirements.

GS-09 Experience/Education: One year of creditable experience comparable at the next lower 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 Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the basic requirements the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

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

GS-11 Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the basic requirements 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: Minimum 2 years experience working with people with mild to severe memory loss.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending reaching stooping and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures.