Recreation Therapist

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

• 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 unit's 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 Veteran's 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 group's 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

Conditions of employment

• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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 interest. In 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.

Qualifications

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 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); (Transcripts are required to be submitted with your application)
  • 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. (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 G60.The 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for 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; religions; 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Current state Recreation Therapist license
• Current Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential
• Professional Certification
• Transcript

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Current state Recreation Therapist license
• Current BLS/CPR certification
• Current Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential
• Professional Certification
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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