Recreation Therapist (SCI)

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1) Current permanent Puget Sound VA HCS employees 2) Current permanent Agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) employees. 3) Current, former, future VA HPT graduates

This job is also open in another announcement to:

The public

Federal employees - Competitive service

Federal employees - Excepted service

Veterans

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary and evidence-based RT practice as it relates to spinal cord injuries.
• Completes thorough initial evaluations, assessments and goal setting to develop and carry out RT treatment to meet the individual rehabilitation objectives which may include: teaching adaptive strategies or compensatory techniques, use of assistive technology, computers or cellphones, and adapted equipment.
• Conducts treatment interventions, one-on-one or group settings, of psychosocial activities for coping and adjustment to change, the appropriate use of leisure time, adaptive sports, independent living skills, social interaction skills, community skills, pre-vocational or work adjustment skills, mobility exercises, cognitive retraining and training to patients following SCI.
• Coordinates the overall treatment plan with the treatment team, patient, and family to provide a program that focuses on treatment goals. Special emphasis is placed on minimizing further debilitation through cognitive retraining, reality orientation, group dynamics, and problem conflict resolution.
• Assesses the need for patient's ability to access off-station transportation safely including adaptive van or public transportation for community reintegration. Trains patient and family in the use of adaptive and mobility equipment in the community setting.
• Demonstrates the ability to assess and match Veterans interests/ability/function to adaptive sports categories. Knowledge of adaptive sports equipment.
• Collaborates with OT and PT in developing and participating with patient, family or caregiver in aquatic therapy program or use of gym for neuro rehab and exercise.
• Provides education and training of assistive technologies for communication and environmental access including ECUs, computers, cellphones, adaptive video gaming, VR and adapting access for higher level SCI injuries.
• Participates in home visits as appropriate to patient's home or place of employment with patient and/or family to assess accessibility, mobility, environmental barriers, ergonomic considerations, and transportation options as it relates to the SCI population.
• Documents patient's initial evaluation/discharges, treatment sessions, goals, patient/family education, continuously re-evaluates patient performance making appropriate modifications to the treatment plan as indicated.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team rounds, team/patient panels to communicate patients' physical and psychosocial performance, current status and continuing goals.
• Participates in RT, SCI, and interdepartmental staff development programs, in-services, conferences, patient and staff education lecture series, and completes annual competencies for RT and SCI Therapy.
• Works with National service organizations to coordinate teams to participate in National Veteran's disabled sporting events. Serves as coach for SCI team to provide education and training to prepare athletes for travel and competition at these events.
• Demonstrates the ability to represent SCI Veterans/VAPSHCS while developing essential relationships with community partners.

Work Schedule: 7:30AM - 4PM, Monday - Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
• A valid state issued driver's license with a clean driving history in accordance with VA Policy to drive a government vehicle.
• Ability to operate and drive a government vehicle as determined by an Occupational Health driving 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:

• 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. The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist:
  • 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,
  • 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.
• Certification. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 4b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived.
• 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 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.
• Failure to Obtain Registration/Certification. In all cases, recreation and creative arts therapists must actively pursue meeting registration and/or certification requirements, starting from the date of appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unregistered and/or uncertified recreation or creative arts therapist with the written requirement to obtain registration/certification, the date by which the registration and/or certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming registered and/or certified by the deadline. Failure to become registered and/or certified within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation, and may 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).

Grade Determinations:
Recreation Therapist, GS-7

Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Recreation Therapist, GS-9

Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level, or a master's 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 experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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.

Recreation Therapist, 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 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.

Preferred Experience: Adaptative sport and therapeutic recreation intervention, Community reintegration, Interdisciplinary team, Strong documentation skills, experience inpatient and outpatient settings with tetra/paraplegia. Spinal Cord Injury Clinical experience inpatient and outpatient settings, adaptative equipment.

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-7 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.), light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, climbing, use of legs and arms, both legs, operation of motor vehicle, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, depth perception, hearing (aid may be permitted), driving large van, riding bike, and swimming. Environmental factors include working outside, outside and inside, excessive heat, excessive humidity, excessive dampness or chilling, dry atmospheric conditions, excessive noise - intermittent, dust, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working around moving objects or vehicles, working alone, protracted or irregular hours of work, pool, ski lift, ice rink/curling rink, tennis court, basketball court, and indoor shooting range.

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.

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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

• Resume
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

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.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Resume/CV with no page limit
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-15
• 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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