Recreation Therapist

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within the closing date of this announcement.

01Basic 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Education (Transcripts with confer date required with application package): The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist: Recreation Therapist: (a) A bachelor's 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, (b) A bachelor's 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.

02Certification

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 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. Loss of Credential. A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.

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).

03Grade Determinations

GS-07 (Entry Level). Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-09 (Developmental Level): Experience: Have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). OR. Education (Transcripts required): Have a Masters Degree in Recreation Therapy. AND. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs: (i) Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient. (ii) Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance. (iii) Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process.(iv) Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.

GS-11 (Full Performance Level: Experience: Have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09). AND. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate 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.

04Preferred Experience

Demonstrated experience delivering evidence based therapeutic recreation services to older adults. Clinical experience working with patients with neurological and physical conditions such as ALS, Parkinson's disease, stroke, MS, and amputations. Background providing recreational therapy in inpatient hospitals, long term care, transitional care, or hospice settings. Proven ability to plan and facilitate both group and individual therapeutic recreation programs for inpatient populations.

Skilled in conducting assessments and developing individualized treatment plans aligned with patient goals. Knowledge of age appropriate therapeutic techniques and the ability to apply them effectively with older adults. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The 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.

05Physical Requirements

Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs), pushing (2 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking and standing (2 hours), crawling and kneeling (1 hour), repeated bending (1 hour), operation of a motor vehicle, near and far vision correctable, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, mental and emotional stability, exposure to outside and inside environments, working closely with others, working alone.

Duties will vary by grade. At the GS-11 full performance level of the grade, the incumbent serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team recommending treatment objectives and goals. Responsible for providing assessment and treatment interventions. Employs therapeutic objectives which are complex because of the severe and multiple disabilities regularly encountered.

Duties will include: Interpret and administer physicians' recreation therapy consults/orders, schedules patient for treatment and integrates recreation/creative arts interventions with other treatments in order to achieve the goals established for the patient.

Develop treatment plans and administer therapeutic recreation interventions which are directed to such goals as sensory integration, ambulation, diminishing emotional stress, community re-entry, reality orientation, muscular dysfunction and reorientation, treatment of psychosocial dysfunction, providing a sense of achievement and progress and channeling energies into acceptable forms of behavior.

Teach independent living skills, social interaction skills, adjustment and coping skills, pre-vocational or work adjustment skills, power wheelchair, manual wheelchair and other mobility device community training, aquatic therapy techniques, adaptive sports and community transportation planning and safety. Interview Veterans with severe and/or multiple diagnoses that require unconventional interview approaches and treatments to devise effective methods and procedures.

Assess the need for and the patient's ability to use adaptive equipment including ADL aides, power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs and other mobility devices, assistive technology, etc. in the community setting. Administer, score, or interpret a variety of creative, leisure and motor skills assessments. Evaluate the assigned patient's mental, emotional, social and physical capabilities to determine the patient's needs in recreation therapy.

Develop therapeutic programs for various types of disabilities which include psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, neuromuscular disorders, orthopedic conditions, amputation, paralysis, spinal cord injury, head injury, respiratory disorders, chronic cardiovascular diseases, visual impairment and patients with multiple diagnoses. Administer mental and physical assessments for patients with severe and/or multiple diagnoses and oversees the administration and interpretation of assessments.

Guide recreation therapy assistants in the correct methods of administering and interpretation of assessment results. Function as a core team member of a clinical multi-disciplinary team for the purpose of providing total health care delivery to the patient, and continuity of care by sharing ideas and exchanging pertinent information. Coordinate a wide range of interventions with other services in the development of appropriate patient treatment programs.

Prepare and submits initial, progress and discharge notes (in accordance with service policy). Perform regular assessments and leisure diagnostic evaluations to determine the appropriate treatment in conjunction with the interdisciplinary treatment team/physician. Discuss progress with treatment team, suggests adjustments to interventions based on sound professional arguments. Select, adapt, and adjust recreation modalities in accordance with rehabilitation goals.

Independently modifies techniques and develops new approaches as necessary to ensure realization of patient treatment goals. Responsible for one or more programs such as Physical Fitness Reactivation, Community Reintegration, Leisure Education and Skill Development, Student Education Programs, Sports Athletic Program, Whole Health/Wellness, and Quality Management. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Friday, 7:30am-5:00pm, every other Saturday (Week 1 of PP) 8am-4:30pm Telework: This is not a telework position.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized.