Recreation Therapist

Duties include but not limited to:

• The incumbent handles problems and corrects errors in accordance with established procedures modifies techniques and develops new approaches to ensure the realization of patient treatment goals and develops criteria to measure therapy quality management service.
• The Recreation Therapist works without direct supervision but is administratively responsible to the Supervisor Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy Section Chief Physical Medicine and Associate Chief of Staff Geriatric and Extended Care.
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
• Area of Work: High Intensity Psychiatric Unit Mental Health Services
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
• Sensitivity to the special needs of all patients in respect to age developmental requirements and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved.
• Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws federal regulations VA statutes and policy and VHA policy.
• Protects data from unauthorized release or from loss alteration or unauthorized deletion.
• Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files release of access codes etc. as set out in the computer access agreement that the incumbent signs.
• Complies with federal state and local environmental and other requirements preventing pollution minimizing waste and conserving cultural and natural resources.
• Reviews hazardous materials/Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/waste management.
• Follows Emergency Preparedness plan.
• The incumbent must adhere to Joint Commission National Patient Safety.
• Demonstrates infection control practices for disease prevention (i.e. hand washing universal precautions/isolation procedures including TB requirement/precautions).

Complete all other duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Thursday- Monday; 12:30pm-9:00pm ( Work scheduled is subject to change at the discretion of the supervisor).
Telework: Not eligible for Telework
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #:60604
FRelocation/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 dentification 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:
Education.
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

1. 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.

1. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(1)(b) certification cannot be waived.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Determination:
Recreation Therapist GS-11:

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

In 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.

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).
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.