Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current, permanent employees of the Richmond VA Medical Center only.

Videos

Duties include but are not limited to:

General Duties:

• The incumbent plans, develops, administers and directs a therapeutic and diversional program that asserts the dignity and worth of self-capacity for self-realization and for the provision of functional and rehabilitative patient care programming provided by the discipline of Recreation Therapy throughout the continuum of care.
• Provides supervision and oversight that requires significant and extensive coordination and integration of a wide range of patient care programming, covering a broad spectrum of physical impairments, mental disorders and disease processes in inpatient, outpatient, home and community care settings
• The administrative work involves understanding the various therapeutic interventions used by Recreation Therapy and the ability to effectively utilize senior staff when needed to help direct therapeutic programs.
• The Recreation Therapy Supervisor is responsible for a program that is in operation a minimum of 72 hours each week. Program will be conducted at the Medical Center and in the community. It is necessary for the incumbent to work irregular tours of duty to observe the Recreation Therapy programs being conducted by staff members and volunteers and to fill in when necessary.
• The incumbent attends rehabilitation sessions, delivers lectures explaining work of the RTS and its significance in the rehabilitation process for various patient populations, serves on various committees, consults with the Chief, Voluntary Service Manager on matters pertaining to the great number of volunteers who serve in the recreation programs.

• The incumbent is responsible for the day-to-day activity in all areas where Recreation Therapy services are provided and will reassign or shift personnel within the department as needed to meet the daily workload demands.
• The incumbent is responsible for the day-to-day activity in all areas where Recreation Therapy services are provided and will reassign or shift personnel within the department as needed to meet the daily workload demands.
• The therapy supervisor will act in a consultative capacity to the Chief of PM&R through the PM&R Program Director to recommend optimal FTE levels for the clinical services provided.
• The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all OSHA standards as well as all medical center safety guidelines and infection control policies are being met in all treatment areas.

• Clinical responsibilities will include direct patient care, when appropriate, to meet workload demands. Clinical duties require application and knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of the incumbent's discipline for which he/she has credentials. In addition, patients treated throughout the service have a variety of acute and chronic medical, surgical, and neurological impairments.
• Clinical responsibilities will include direct patient care, when appropriate, to meet workload demands. Clinical duties require application and knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of the incumbent's discipline for which he/she has credentials. In addition, patients treated throughout the service have a variety of acute and chronic medical, surgical, and neurological impairments.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.

Qualifications

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. The following education requirements apply to the 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.

Required Certification: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived.

Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a recreation or creative arts therapist, on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including positive education, and registration and/or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:(1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to, and including, the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level, or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.(2) Employees who were appointed on a temporary basis, prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.(3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/registration/certification, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.(4) Recreation therapists who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements, in effect at the time of reentry, as a recreation therapist.

English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations:

a. Creditable Experience

(1) Knowledge of Current Professional Recreation Therapy or Creative Arts Therapy Practices: To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (also referred to as "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.

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

(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 provide treatment in complex cases and work with great independence.
ii. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
iii. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and use data to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the service.
iv. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers, to include conflict management.
v. Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines in a professional area and to guide the staff in applying these tools.
vi. Knowledge of organizational theories and strategies to positively impact the overall goals and objectives within the service.
vii. Knowledge related to administrative functions, such as fiscal, material supply, equipment management, and clinical and program management.

References: VA Handbook 5005/111 Part II Appendix G60The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 13.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.