Recreation Therapist

Summary The Recreation Therapist is assigned to Whole Health at the Thomas E. Creek Amarillo VA Health Services Center - serving the residents of the Community Living Center and assisting in outpatient services teaching Yoga and Tai Chi classes. Recreation Therapist provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment - planning - implementation - and evaluation of patient treatment services. The incumbent must meet all criteria included in the qualification standards. 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 Education: 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: Required Certification - Recreation Therapist; applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC 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 Grandfathering Provision: 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) Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) Grade Determinations: None beyond the basic requirements for GS-07; at least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level GS-07 or a master’s degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required one year of professional recreation therapist experience Recreation Therapist - GS-09 Experience/Education: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level GS-07 or a master’s degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required one year of professional recreation therapist experience Recreation Therapist - GS-11 Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient; knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care and environmental maintenance; ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process; knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. Preferred Experience: At least two years of experience; ability to design, develop, or adapt recreation therapy methods for assessment, treatment, or palliation, and evaluation procedures for complex clinical cases; ability to treat patients with complex medical or mental health issues. Certified as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 200 (E-RYT 200) registration with Yoga Alliance or hold an International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) certification (C-IAYT); certified to provide tai chi or qigong instruction; acceptable certifications must have required successful completion of a minimum 30-hour tai chi or qigong instruction program. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: A pre-placement examination will determine if the incumbent can safely operate a Government Vehicle; distant vision 20/40 in one eye with or without correction; field of vision 70 degrees; ability to distinguish red-green and amber; whispered voice at five feet; or average hearing loss not greater than 40 dB at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz; Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate medical qualification to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely; Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. NOTE: Photos of driver's license will not be accepted; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package; if an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of a valid state-issued driver's license. Duties This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until April 13-2027. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be April 22-2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Duties include but are not limited to: Administers recreation therapy and recreation assessments and develops individualized treatment plans and interventions with knowledge of symptoms of diagnosis in the provision of recreation therapy based on current literature and best practices. Provides assessment and recreation therapy interventions for Veterans with Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Plans comprehensive therapeutic recreation programming meeting diverse needs of Veteran population in the Community Living Center. Plans recreation calendar, allocates staff and volunteer resources. Serves as recreation therapy subject matter expert and representative on interdisciplinary teams and provides education to staff, students, patients, families, and caregivers about the benefits of recreation therapy and recreation treatment interventions and goals. Demonstrates understanding of recreation therapy and its effects on human growth and development, leisure development, diagnostic classifications, and symptomatology when developing recreation therapy interventions. Teaches Yoga classes in the Community Living Center (CLC) and outpatient settings. Must hold at minimum an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 200 (E-RYT 200) registration with Yoga Alliance or hold an International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) certification (C-IAYT). Temporary appointments of non-registered or non-certified Yoga Instructors will not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment. Teaches Tai Chi/Qigong in the CLC and outpatient settings. Must be certified to provide tai chi or qigong instruction; acceptable certifications must have required successful completion of a minimum 30-hour tai chi or qigong instruction program. Temporary appointments of non-registered or non-certified Tai Chi/Qigong Instructors will not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment. Develops and implements quality improvement systems as related to internal and external regulatory requirements, including patient safety. Collaborates and maintains effective communication with all patients, caregivers, interdisciplinary teams, medical center staff, and community partners. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0800-1630. Telework: Available (Ad-Hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized; Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs