Supervisory Recreation Therapist Job in Hines, IL

Vacancy No. HN-12805997-25-AG Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $117,807.00 to $153,151.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/3/2025 Close Date 10/10/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Hines, IL


Summary

The Supervisor of the Recreation/Creative Arts Therapy Department is assigned to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) at Edward Hines, Jr., Veterans Affairs Hospital. The Supervisory Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist is responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures to address focused clinical needs and the overall services delivered and provided within the section.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

OPEN TO CURRENT PERMANENT HINES VA EMPLOYEES ONLY (INCLUDING CBOCS)

Duties

Clinical Duties

  • Consults with staff, resident physicians, and attending physicians to maintain optimal utilization of therapy services, and to assure quality patient care. Access and utilize reports from databases to make informed decisions.
  • Reassigns patients for treatment by other therapists in the absence of subordinates and assists with complex cases requiring advance treatment techniques to ensure quality care.
  • Triages consult to RT for appropriateness and completeness prior to scheduling.
  • Coordinates scheduling all consults for new patients.
  • Shares professional knowledge with personnel by serving as model or mentor to Recreation Therapists and student interns.
  • Collaborates across multiple services and medical centers (private and VA) to address Veteran/Employee/Stakeholder needs. Integrates therapy activities with other services to provide continuity of care.
  • Coaches, develops, and prepares Recreation Therapy personnel to grow professionally.
  • Consults with lead therapists and specialists of other disciplines to plan and implement patient treatment and therapy programs, and to set priorities for treatment and education of patients/caregiver.

Supervisory and Administrative Duties

  • Performs a full range of supervisory duties that include interviewing candidates, recommending appointments, advancements, and promotions. Assures Affirmative Action goals and EEO guidelines are followed and takes disciplinary action when indicated.
  • Provides orientation to new staff, interns, new RT staff, residents, fellows, volunteers, and visitors.
  • Assigns and supervises licensed and certified staff, assistants, trainees, and volunteers in the delivery or support of treatment and education to patients/caregivers.
  • Reviews performance and conducts performance appraisals for Recreation Therapists and Recreation Therapy Assistants. Provides verbal and written feedback to lead therapists on performance for all assigned personnel working in the CRP.
  • Approves sick and annual leave for all assigned program personnel without jeopardizing treatment programs and in accordance with EEO standards and hospital policies. Requests authorized leave, leave without pay, military, maternity, and court leave, etc. from the Associate Chief of Staff for Rehabilitative Services. Notifies lead therapist if discipline-specific coverage is needed.
  • Anticipate staffing needs by recruiting and rotating program staff to maintain quality care. Timely monitoring of clinic grids to make optimal staffing decisions.
  • Develops and updates functional statements or position descriptions and performance standards for Recreation Therapists and Recreation Therapy Assistants.
  • Identifies and justifies equipment purchase and/or maintenance needs based on consolidated memoranda report and inspection.
  • Oversees program budget, performs supply inventory, and orders expendable supplies and equipment to adequately meet program needs.
  • Collects, generates, and compiles data for monthly statistical and narrative reports as required.
  • Resolves complaints or problems. Takes disciplinary action, if needed, after consulting with lead therapist of concerned discipline.
  • Conducts staff meetings for Recreation Therapy personnel, compiles and submits minutes as requested.
  • Participates in training of therapists by developing appropriate training/education sessions as needed.

Educational Duties

  • Submits and processes requests to the Tuition Support Program through the hospital Education Service for approval and assures reimbursement of continuing education courses for Recreation Therapists.
  • Manages and coordinates education of student trainees (RT/MT/CAT) from multiple schools. Serves as liaison with educators of the affiliating Recreation Therapy colleges and universities by participating in clinical supervisors' meetings. Establishes and updates affiliation contracts, and schedules clinical affiliations with Recreation Therapy, Music Therapy and Creative Arts Therapy.
  • Coordinates in-service training programs for interdisciplinary teams.
  • Coordinates Recreation Therapy education activities by providing speakers for in-services and community-related activities.
  • Maintains competency to practice by attending and participating in continuing education courses annually.

Special Projects

  • The incumbent plans and accomplishes special projects independently and/or participate in process and project teams. Oversees/Coordinates special projects for the Hines PM&R RT department with Geriatrics, SCI, CIIRP, Mental Health, BRC, inpatient and outpatient.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 7:30am-4pm Monday-Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. prior to appointment.
  • Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a trial period.
  • 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 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).

Qualifications

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.
Education: Must have one of the following:
(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.
Certification: Recreation Therapist must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. Certification cannot be waived. (Copy Required)

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GRADE REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.

GS-13 Grade Requirements:
Must have at least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-12). The incumbent demonstrates advanced skills to plan, develop, lead and administer the Recreational Therapy/Creative Arts Therapy program. Advanced knowledge of contemporary occupational therapy across multiple areas of practice and demonstrates the ability to apply this advanced knowledge to provide clinical guidance to staff within the RT department and to perform functions associated within the Recreational Therapy/Creative Arts Therapy scope of practice.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
1. Ability to provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence.
2. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
3. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and use data to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service.
4. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers, to include conflict management.
5. Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools.
6. Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall
7. Knowledge related to administrative functions, such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements
Duties require provision of assistance in manual lifting and positioning of patients. Work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, and moving of equipment and supplies. Long periods of standing, bending, and walking are required. Considerable manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, stamina, and agility are required.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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.

Required Documents

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

  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action


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
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/10/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12805997.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

Avia Givens
Address
Edward Hines Junior Hospital
5000 South 5th Avenue
Hines, IL 60141
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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