Recreation Therapist - EDRP - RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE (Hiring Immediately)

Recreation Therapist - EDRP - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive The Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Recreation Therapist for the West Texas VA Health Care System in Big Spring, TX. This position is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating clinical and administrative aspects of the Recreation Therapy program within Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service / Audiology. The Recreation Therapist primarily supports the Community Living Center and Veteran Healing Center at the George H. O'Brien Jr. VA Medical Center and provides evidence-based recreation therapy services to improve Veterans' biopsychosocial well-being. Location: Big Spring, TX Vacancies: 1 Salary: $50,460 - $97,087 per year Salary Note: Salary depends on grade level: GS-7 range $50,460 - $65,599; GS-9 range $61,722 - $80,243; GS-11 range $74,678 - $97,087. Pay Scale & Grade: GS-7 to GS-11 Promotion Potential: GS-11 Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; some weekends and holidays required Appointment Type: Permanent Telework: Not available Remote/Virtual: Not available Travel Required: 25% or less Relocation Expenses: Not reimbursed Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Authorized EDRP: Authorized; student loan reimbursement may be available up to $200,000, subject to eligibility and VHA approval PCS: Not authorized Drug Test: Not required Security Clearance: Not required Position Sensitivity/Risk: Non-sensitive / Low Risk Union Representation: Yes Key Responsibilities: Plan, direct, and coordinate clinical and administrative aspects of the Recreation Therapy program. Practice Recreation Therapy primarily in the Community Living Center and Veteran Healing Center at the Big Spring VA Medical Center. Serve as a subject matter expert for Recreation Therapy programming for the CLC and VHC. Evaluate patients and provide comprehensive recreation therapy treatment designed to improve biopsychosocial well-being. Provide clinical supervision and guidance to recreation assistants and recreation therapy assistants as needed. Provide Recreation Therapy coverage as needed at all West Texas VA Health Care System sites of care. Administer and interpret recreation therapy assessments using independent judgment. Develop unconventional assessments and interview approaches to effectively gather patient information. Conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data across cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure functional domains. Develop evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for patients with complex medical or mental health needs. Support patients with conditions such as polytrauma, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, spinal cord injury, substance use disorder, serious mental illness, and hospice or palliative care needs. Review recreation therapy consults and conduct comprehensive evaluations. Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals, objectives, scope, duration, and treatment approach. Recommend adaptations, modifications, or assistive technology based on patient needs and preferences. Use activity analysis, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic procedures to reduce stress, anxiety, and maladaptive behaviors. Help patients recover motor function, reasoning abilities, confidence, compensatory strategies, and life skills needed for community reintegration. Implement therapeutic interventions such as assistive technology, cognitive behavioral skills, aquatic therapy, fitness and wellness, community reintegration, adapted sports, and leisure development. Monitor intervention plans for effectiveness and modify treatment as needed. Participate in co-treatment opportunities such as neurological rehabilitation, mental health recovery programs, and palliative care. Conduct discharge analysis and planning for community needs. Basic Qualifications: Must be a U.S. Citizen. Non-citizens may only be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Must be subject to a background/security investigation. Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959. Must complete all application requirements and online onboarding requirements. Must provide acceptable identification for employment eligibility verification. Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for Department of Veterans Affairs health care personnel. Selected applicant may be required to serve a one-year or two-year trial period. Education and Certification Requirements: Must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure with an option or emphasis in therapeutic recreation approved by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification; or Must have a bachelor's degree or higher in any field from an accredited college or university and be certified as a therapeutic recreation specialist. Must be certified in recreation therapy as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet eligibility requirements may receive a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation or creative arts therapist at the GS-7 or GS-9 level only. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, applicants must be registered and/or certified. Failure to obtain or maintain required certification may result in removal from the occupation or termination of employment. GS-7 Qualification Requirements: No experience or education beyond the basic requirements is required. GS-9 Qualification Requirements: Must have at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; or Must have a master's degree in recreation therapy. Must demonstrate knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for patient diagnoses or disabilities. Must be able to interpret and apply health and safety regulations to minimize risk during patient care. Must be able to communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and health care professionals. Must be able to apply evidence-based and best-practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. GS-11 Qualification Requirements: Must have at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Must be able to adapt assessment tools and treatment interventions for complex diagnoses or disabilities. Must demonstrate clinical reasoning to identify the need for further assessment of function using unconventional methods and techniques. Must independently interpret provider referrals and consults. Must apply health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in patient care and the care environment. Must effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and health care professionals in the interdisciplinary treatment process. Must independently use screening and evaluation techniques for direct patient care, including recreation therapy assistive device recommendations. Must independently apply evidence-based and best-practice therapeutic techniques and interventions. Must understand recreation therapy assessment principles and treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits. Preferred Experience: Experience working with adult populations. Experience working with mental health populations. Experience working in a residential rehabilitation setting. Physical Requirements: Physical requirements are typical for the occupation and generally do not require a pre-placement examination. Required Documents: Resume Standard Clinical Resume Document uploaded into the restricted resume field Full resume or CV may be uploaded separately into the other document upload field Transcript, if using education to qualify License or professional certification, if applicable or required SF-50 / Notification of Personnel Action, if current or former federal employee DD-214 / Statement of Service, if applicable Veterans' preference documentation, if applicable Cover letter, performance appraisal, disability letter, and other supporting documents, if applicable Benefits and Incentives: Comprehensive federal benefits package. Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance options may be available depending on appointment type and work schedule. Paid time off and federal retirement benefits may be available depending on appointment type and work schedule. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service, subject to approval. Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility may provide student loan reimbursement up to $200,000, subject to VHA approval and eligibility requirements. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. Application Deadline: October 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET Status: Accepting applications This announcement is open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, current permanent employees of other federal agencies, and past, current, or upcoming VA Health Professions Trainee graduates. All others should apply under the separate public announcement. Applications expire after 90 days, so applicants must update their application through USAJOBS to remain active for reconsideration.5c143e31-5e48-4549-b638-05792d185386