Recreation Therapist

Summary This position is located at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (Chicago, IL). The Recreation Therapist evaluates the history, interests, aptitudes, and skills of patients through interviews, inventories, tests, and measurements. Therapists use such findings—along with medical records or therapy orders from physicians or nurse practitioners—to develop and implement therapeutic interventions for individual patients. 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) A bachelor's degree or higher—accredited from a 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). (b) A bachelor's degree or higher in any field from an accredited college or university who must be a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS). The degree must be approved by the NCTRC. If hired under the education requirement, the certification cannot be waived. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. The private organization must deem such education at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Certification – Recreation Therapist: Applicants must be certified as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 4b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived. Exception: Non-registered 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 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. Applicants may qualify based on 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). Creditable Experience: (1) Knowledge of current professional recreation therapy or creative arts therapy practices—experience must have required use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (clinical competencies) associated with current professional recreation or creative arts therapy practices. Evidence of such experience includes private practice, U.S. military services, local/state/federal government organizations, for‑profit/non‑profit organizations, health care, or educational facilities. (2) Quality of Experience: Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to the next lower grade level. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice, which may be paid or non‑paid employment as a recreation or creative arts therapist. Responsibilities Patient Focus: Respects all Veterans, their caregivers, and extended families by exhibiting sensitivity to their needs, tolerances, and individual differences—including values, social backgrounds, and ethnic group. Effective use of professional skill, objectivity, and insight to respond constructively to both positive and negative reactions. Communicates confidence in the patient's ability, facilitates the therapeutic process and progress, maintains appropriate professional boundaries, and provides appropriate recognition for growth. Assessment and Treatment Planning: Conducts assessments using effective interviewing techniques and assessment instruments to obtain objective and information pertaining to the Veteran's interests, preferences, aptitudes, abilities, barriers, goals, and clinical needs in recreation therapy. Develops a full range of therapeutic or palliative care interventions for a wide variety of inpatients and/or outpatients; treatment plans integrate specialized recreation therapy techniques within the total care plan for the patient. Develops individualized treatment plans with therapeutic goals and objectives to meet the assessed needs of the patient to restore, remediate, and rehabilitate to improve functioning and independence as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability. Develops and provides effective clinical interventions that are consistent with the therapist's professional scope of practice and standards of care and professional ethics. Provides the necessary and/or adapted equipment, materials, instruction, supplies, encouragement, and motivation to successfully engage each patient in the therapeutic process; uses proper judgment in determining specialized approaches, appropriate therapeutic modalities, and the appropriate interval of treatment in administering clinical interventions. Evaluates and adjusts treatment plans/ intervention strategies by documenting treatment rendered and patient progress in the computerized patient medical record (CPRS), discussing progress with the treatment team, reviewing patient progress regularly, and adapting or adjusting the treatment plan and intervention strategies accordingly. Participates in hospital‑wide or departmental programming: schedules and conducts evening and weekend programming to support hospital‑wide and/or departmental objectives. Participates in the procurement of equipment and materials and may make recommendations for appropriate purchases, and also purchase supplies and materials for both assigned units and departmental needs while maintaining compliance with purchasing regulations. Professionalism: Gives lectures on various treatment techniques—provides on‑the‑job demonstrations of treatment interventions—discusses and plans individual patient treatment with students and describes treatment results with patients. Provides clinical training supervision of student interns and may supervise recreation therapy assistants and volunteers—as determined by the Recreation Therapy Supervisor/Chief of Service. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday—Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Telework: Not available; Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 09768F, 09679F, 09770F. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs