Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. Area of Consideration: Current permanent VA employees of the facility; 2. All other VA employees; 3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies; 4. All other applicants. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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PATIENT FOCUS:

Respects all Veterans, their caregivers, and extended families by exhibiting sensitivity to their needs, tolerances, and individual differences including values, social backgrounds, and ethnic group.

Effectively uses professional skill, objectivity, and insight to respond constructively to both positive and negative reactions.

Communicates confidence in the patient's ability and facilitates therapeutic process and progress and maintains appropriate professional boundaries and provides appropriate recognition for growth.

ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT PLANNING:

Conducts assessments using effective interviewing techniques and assessment instruments to obtain objective and information pertaining to the Veterans interests, preferences, aptitudes, abilities, barriers, goals, and clinical needs in recreation therapy.

Develops a full range of therapeutic or palliative care interventions for a wide variety of inpatients and/ or outpatients and treatment plans integrate specialized recreation therapy techniques within the total care plan for the patient.

Develops individualized treatment plans with therapeutic goals and objectives to meet the assessed needs of the patient to restore, remediate and rehabilitate to improve functioning and independence as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability.

DEVELOPS AND PROVIDES EFFECTIVE CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS:

Develops and provides effective clinical interventions that are consistent with the therapist's professional Scope of Practice, Standards of Care and Professional Ethics.

Provides the necessary and/ or adapted equipment, materials, instruction, supplies, encouragement, and motivation to successfully engage with each patient in the therapeutic process and uses proper judgement in determining specialized approaches, appropriate therapeutic modalities, and the appropriate interval of treatment in administering clinical interventions.

EVALUATES AND ADJUSTS TREATMENT PLANS INTERVENTION STRATEGIES:

Documents the treatment rendered and patients progress in the computerized patient medical record CPRS and discusses progress with the treatment team and regularly reviews patient progress and adapts or adjusts the treatment plan and intervention strategies accordingly.

PARTICIPATES IN HOSPITAL-WIDE OR DEPARTMENTAL PROGRAMMING:

Schedules and conducts evening and weekend programming to support hospital wide and/or departmental objectives.

Participates in the procurement of equipment and materials and may make recommendations for appropriate purchases; and also purchase supplies and materials for both their assigned units as well as for the departmental needs while maintaining education and training and regulations associated with purchasing.

PROFESSIONALISM:

Gives lectures on various treatment techniques, provides on the job demonstrations of treatment interventions, discusses, and plans individual patient treatment with students and describes treatment results with patients.

Provide clinical training supervision of student interns and may supervise recreation therapy assistants and volunteers, as determined by the Recreation Therapy Supervisor/ Chief of Service.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 09768F; 09679F; 09770F
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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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.

• 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.

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.

English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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.

Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. The private organization must deem such education at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs.

Certification - Recreation Therapist: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 4b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived.

Exception: Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the 5 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.

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).

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.

Grade Determination: Recreation Therapist, GS-07

Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

Assignment: Employees at this level serve in an entry level position as a recreation therapist. They work under the direct supervision of a recreation or creative arts therapist, at or above the full-performance level, or a designated supervisor in a clinical environment. Employees have knowledge of their respective discipline, and work with guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff. Established treatment procedures are substantially adapted and applied for acutely ill patients. Employees at this level would not be assigned work at a community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC), unless supervision is on site.

Grade Determination: Recreation Therapist, GS-09

Experience/Education: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level, or a master's degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required one year of professional recreation therapist experience.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient.
2. Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance.
3. Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process.
4. Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.

Grade Determination: Recreation Therapist, GS-11

Experience: At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade (GS-09) level.

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and reoccurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; pushing and pulling heavy objects- including Veterans in wheelchairs, gurneys; leading or directing physical activities/ exercise. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures, as well as skill and ability in the therapist's respective discipline. Position requires a valid driver's license and may also include a valid CDL driver's license.

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.

Area of Consideration: Eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.2. All other VA employees.3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.4. All other applicants. Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.