Recreation Therapist - EDRP - RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE

Recreation Therapist

This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is Friday, May 29, 2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed. (NOTE: Applications expire after 90 days. Please update application if you wish to be reconsidered.) The incumbent is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating all clinical and administrative aspects of the activities associated with the Recreation Therapy program within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service/Audiology Department of the West Texas VA Health Care System. The incumbent will practice Recreation Therapy primarily in the Community Living Center and Veteran Healing Center at the George H. O'Brien Jr., Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Big Spring, Texas. The incumbent may participate in temporary assignments throughout West Texas VA Health Care System as directed by the Recreation Therapy Supervisor, Chief, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service/Audiology, or designee. The incumbent serves as the subject matter expert for Recreation Therapy programming for the Community Living Center and Veteran Healing Center, in addition, evaluates patients, plans, establishes, and provides a full range of comprehensive treatment procedures designed to improve biopsychosocial well-being. The incumbent provides clinical supervision and guidance to the recreation assistants and recreation therapy assistants as necessary. Please note, the incumbent will be required to provide Recreation Therapy coverage as needed at all sites of care for the West Texas VA Health Care System. The incumbent will work one weekend a month, and Holidays as needed.

Major duties at the full performance level include:

• Function with independent judgment to administer and interpret recreation therapy assessments and utilize clinical competencies to develop unconventional assessments and interview approaches to effectively elicit information.
• Conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, effective, physical, and leisure).
• Incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered by the therapist constructs evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues, such as polytrauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), spinal cord injury (SCI), substance use disorder/addictions, serious mental illness (SMI), and hospice/palliative care requirements.
• Provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher level supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision.
• Review recreation therapy consults and conduct comprehensive evaluations.
• Based upon assessment data, and in collaboration with other stakeholders, the therapist develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration, and treatment.
• Recommend adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy.
• Through the use of activity/task analysis, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic procedures, the therapist designs individualized treatment interventions to reduce stress, anxiety, and maladaptive behaviors; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence; and develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary to re-enter the community in a productive manner.
• Resourcefulness is exercised in providing individualized, unique, effective methods and procedures when implementing therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to: assistive technology; cognitive behavioral skills; aquatic therapy; fitness and wellness; community accessibility/reintegration/transition; and adapted sports and leisure development.
• Intervention plans are monitored for effectiveness, making modifications, as needed.
• Recreation therapists determine the effectiveness of protocols, modalities, and programs for targeted groups through quantitative analysis and identifying potential risks and needs adaptive interventions to facilitate improved biopsychosocial well-being.
• Participate in co-treatment opportunities, including but not limited to: neurological rehabilitation, mental health recovery programs, and palliative care related to the symptoms of a terminal illness.
• Discharge analysis and planning is conducted for community needs.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm required to work some holidays and weekends

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: GS-11: 54434F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact View email address on click.appcast.io, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized