Clarification from the agency

Open to all qualified U. S. Citizens. 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 may include but are not limited to:

• Works with guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff to make clinical decisions in a Direct Access environment that includes the ability to evaluate and treat patients with seek Recreation Therapy Services.
• Within scope of Recreation Therapy, identifies the appropriate rehabilitation intervention, including referral to another provider for further consultation as clinical indicated with assistance from higher level supervisory staff as needed.
• Ability to determine with guidance form higher level supervisory staff when needed the Recreation Therapy prognosis by incorporating examination findings with the patient's preferences in order to set clinically appropriate treatment goals, optimize outcomes and maximize functional independence
• Serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team recommending treatment objectives.
• Autonomously planning and carrying out assigned duties, resolving conflicts that arise, coordinating work with others as indicated and interpreting policy on own initiative in terms of established objectives.
• Utilize the recreation therapy modality with individual/groups of patients having physical, emotional and social disabilities. Implements therapy activities.
• Administer, score, or interpret a variety of creative and motor skill tests. Evaluates the assigned patient's mental, emotional, social, and physical capabilities to determine the patient's needs in recreation therapy.

Work Schedule: Sunday through Thursday 8:00 am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 613-23215-F, 613-24089-F, 613-24079-F
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 identification 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.
  • 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 education requirement (b), certification cannot be waived.

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:

• Recreation Therapist, GS-7. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met:
  • Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Recreation Therapist, GS-9. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met:
  • 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. Examples of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-7) include but are not limited to:
    • Knowledge of their respective discipline and ability to work with guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff.
    • Adapt and apply established treatment procedures for acutely ill patients.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
    • Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient.
    • Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance.
    • Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process.
    • Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
• Recreation Therapist, GS-11. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met:
  • Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. Examples of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-9) include but are not limited to:
    • Knowledge of their respective discipline and ability to work with guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff. Adapt and apply established treatment procedures for acutely ill patients.
    • Conduct patient evaluations; analyze and interpret leisure, cognitive, and motor skill assessment data to develop individualized goals, objectives, and treatment plan of care; develop and select interventions to achieve patient goals; review patient progress; adapt or adjust the treatment plan and intervention strategies; implement therapeutic interventions that support measurable functional outcomes (interventions include, but are not limited to leisure education, reality orientation, memory, and gross motor activities); evaluate patient needs for additional, alternative, or termination of services; document patient's behavioral observations, progress, functioning, and intervention outcomes; and develop and provide collaborative services with other team members.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
    • Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits.

Preferred Experience: Geriatric experience such as dementia care and hospice.

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:
A Recreation Therapist has job-related physical demands rating of Medium Work (U.S. Department of Labor) which implies frequent 20 pounds of lifting and infrequent lifting of 50 pounds and over. A typical energy requirement at this level is 3.5 METS. Typical physical job demands carrying light to heavy equipment/supplies to all areas of the medical center.

As part of the duties, Recreation Therapists are asked to perform various physical activities including, but not limited to lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling heavy objects, prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, walking, squatting, reaching, handling, manipulating small objects, cardiovascular workouts on therapeutic equipment, and isotonic, isokinetic, or isometric exercise programs. Experiences also include exposure to various forms of mechanical, radiant, thermal, acoustic and/or electrical energy, and potential exposure to chemicals used the preservation of biological tissues and for cleaning.

Requirements include use of fingers, both hands required; reaching above shoulder; walking (8 hours);standing (8 hours); both legs required (1 prosthetic); far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted), and mental and emotional stability.

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.