Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a))
Education. The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist, creative arts therapist (art), creative arts therapist (dance/movement), creative arts therapist (drama), and creative arts therapist (music): (1) 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.
English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
Certification. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Certification cannot be waived.
Grandfathering Provision. Applicants 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).
All persons employed in VHA as a recreation or creative arts therapist, on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including positive education, and registration and/or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:(1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to, and including, the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level, or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees who were appointed on a temporary basis, prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/registration/certification, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.(4) Recreation and creative arts therapists who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements, in effect at the time of reentry, as a recreation or creative arts therapist.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic and education requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:
GS-13 Supervisory Recreation Therapist. Applicants at the GS-13 grade level must possess:
Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-12):
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
GS-13 Supervisory Recreation Therapist
- Ability to provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence.
- Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
- Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service.
- Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.
- Ability to use evidence-based practices, clinical practice guidelines in a professional area, and to guide the staff in applying these tools.
- Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service.
- Knowledge related to administrative functions such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management.
References: VA Handbook 5005/111 Part II Appendix G60
Physical Requirements: Physical requirements may include: heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); heavy carrying (45 pounds and over); pushing; use of fingers; walking (up to eight hours); standing (up to eight hours); repeated bending; kneeling; near vision correctable at 13 to 16 inches to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades or colors; and hearing (aid permitted).