Recreation Therapist

Summary The position involves professional work requiring the application of a knowledge of the concepts - principles - and practices of recreation therapy - and the use of recreational modalities to treat the physical - mental - emotional - and social needs of individual patients - groups of patients - and families; maintain or rehabilitate patients' physical and/or mental health. The incumbent should be knowledgeable about the residential level of care. 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 The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist: (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 Certification (1) Required Certification (a) Recreation Therapist Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC If hired under paragraph 4b(1)(b) - certification cannot be waived (2) 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 (3) 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 (4) 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) Grade Determinations: Recreation Therapist - GS-7 (a) Experience/Education None beyond the basic requirements Recreation Therapist - GS-9 (a) 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 (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 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 (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: 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: residential program veteran population substance use housing instability Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit 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 carrying (15-44 lbs.) - light lifting/carrying (under 15 lbs.) - reaching above shoulders - use of fingers - both hands required - walking - standing - repeated bending - climbing with legs only - operation of a motor vehicle to transport veterans - near vision correctable at 13\"\" to 16\"\" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - both eyes required - hearing (aid may be permitted) - and emotional/mental stability Environmental Factors include working outside and inside - dry atmospheric conditions - silica - asbestos - etc. - slippery or uneven walking surfaces - working closely with others and working alone. Duties Duties at the GS-11 (full-performance) grade level include but are not limited to: Receives - consults - conducts - analyzes - interprets - and reports assessment data based on functional domains (cognitive - sensory - social - affective - physical - and leisure) Incorporates the four-step process of assessment - planning - implementation - and evaluation of services delivered - the therapist constructs appropriate and evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical - mental health - and substance abuse issues Employs knowledge and understanding of physical illness - mental health - substance abuse - and other appropriate physical - social - and biological sciences - and skills in recreation therapy Plans and carries out treatment programs that are directed to such goals that include but are not limited to (1) sensory integration (2) ambulation (3) diminishing emotional stress (4) community reentry (5) reality orientation (6) muscular dysfunction reorientation (7) treatment of psychosocial dysfunction (8) providing a sense of achievement and progress (9) channeling energies into acceptable forms of behavior Conducts ongoing evaluations of therapy results and modifies - redirects - adjusts - and augments treatment plans as indicated by each veteran's response and progress in the light of each patient's emotional - mental health - and social needs skills - aptitudes - abilities - and interests Exercises resourcefulness in providing individualized and group interventions that will be unique and effective methods and procedures when implementing therapeutic interventions - including but not limited to assistive technology - cognitive behavioral skills - fitness and wellness - adapted sports and leisure development - and community accessibility/reintegration/transition Evaluates the patient's needs for additional - alternative - or termination of services and monitor the effectiveness of intervention plans - and make modifications - as needed Determines the effectiveness of protocols - modalities - and programs for targeted groups through quantitative analysis and identifies potential risks and needs for adaptive interventions with cases to facilitate improved bio-psychosocial well-being Participates in the treatment team in all programs within the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program Work Schedule: Will be discussed during interview Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Available - Ad-hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr