Clarification from the agency

This is open to United States Citizens. This is an external vacancy, internal candidates should apply to vacancy announcement CAZM-12925993-26-JET NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Provides recreation/education to explore interests and attitudes with respect to leisure, recreation, and social relationships to enable the patient to identify, locate and utilize recreation resources in the community. Evaluates patient progress, effectiveness and outcomes of therapeutic interventions through regular contact with the patient, establishes goals based on evaluation findings, and develops treatment interventions. Documents patient care and response to care in the medical records based on identified, measurable outcomes and reviews the plan as appropriate. This including assessments, interventions, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, discharge planning and other reports as needed. Collaborate in co-treatment of complex clinical cases and demonstrate an ability to design, develop, or modify therapy methods as needed.

Develop therapeutic relationships with professional boundaries and establish a safe environment for the patient. Provide education as required to the patient and family regarding treatment interventions and goals, in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes.

Keeps abreast of developments in the therapeutic recreation field and incorporates new techniques into patient treatment. Adapts standard recreation activities to meet the individual, physical or psychological disability of the patient(s) to restore or maintain the physical or psychological health of the individual. Plans and schedules a variety of program activities considering the diverse interests of the patients assigned, often devising and improvising recreation activities to meet the special needs of the patients. Provides recreation service for pre-discharge planning and aftercare recreation therapy guidance which should stimulate the development of a positive attitude toward one's self and constructive use of leisure.

Reports either orally or by progress note, information regarding treatment response, problems, adaptation to activities, behavioral changes and/or unusual developments to members of the patient treatment team units. Extensive contact with the patients requires a high degree of communication skills with persons who are physically ill, handicapped, or psychologically withdrawn. Frequent contacts with the treatment team serves to evaluate the patient's response to recreation therapy modalities.

Maintains productivity standards and practices effective time management. Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities, including information for scheduling and billing. Manages resources (time, materials, staff) in a cost-effective manner. Assists in developing and revising patient education materials, clinical forms, and protocols. Assists in achieving compliance regulatory agency standards, established by OSHA, VHA, JC, CARF and other reviewing agencies. Participates in the orientation and training of new therapists, students, and volunteers. May serve as a mentor or preceptor for any recreation therapy student. Instructs, supervises, and evaluates the student/intern. Completes special projects as assigned. Prepares and conducts in-service education. Competent in Microsoft Office Suite to include Teams, Excel, Word, Outlook, Publisher and PowerPoint.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000/Recreation Therapist
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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. The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist, creative arts therapist (art), creative arts therapist (dance/movement), creative arts therapist (drama), and creative arts therapist (music):

Recreation Therapist -

1. 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,
2. 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
  1. Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived.
  2. Exception. Non-registered and/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 full-time 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.
• 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).
• 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).

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

• Recreation Therapist, GS-11
  • Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level GS-09.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
    1. Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment interventions to address the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of unconventional methods and techniques.
    2. Knowledge to independently interpret provider referrals and consults; and apply all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
    3. Skill in effectively communicating and educating, in a clear and concise manner, with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the interdisciplinary treatment process.
    4. Skill in independently utilizing appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care in areas such as, but not limited to recommendations for recreation therapy assistive devices, including fit and function.
    5. Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
    6. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits.

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).

Preferred Experience:
2 years' experience as a Certified Recreation Therapist Specialist working in a Domiciliary.
NCTRC CTRS Specialization in Behavioral Health.
Additional trainings such as: coaching training, Health & Wellness coaching (programs focused on National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching, (NBHWC) or International Coaching Federation (ICF) standards), Motivational Interviewing, TEACH for Success, Whole Health for Mental Health.
Master of Science in Recreation Therapy, Master of Arts in Recreation/Hospital Administration or other allied health field.
Certifications in Tai Chi, Yoga, or any meditation practices, Certified Adaptive Recreation and Sports (CARSS).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005/111, PART II APPENDIX G60, RECREATION AND CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0638.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting 15-44 pounds; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; operation of a crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; both eyes required; hearing aid may be permitted.

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.