Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent VA Nationwide employees, Federal employees of other Agencies, and U.S. Citizens NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

• The Recreation Therapist develops, organizes, and administers Recreation Therapy programs to provide treatment that meets the physical, mental, social, and chronological maturations and/or emotional needs of adult and geriatric patients in various areas, e.g., Transitional Care Center, spinal cord injury, rehabilitation, general medicine and surgery, and assorted mental health programs.
• This position manages the delivery of Recreation Therapy services to Veterans with a wide variety of multiple and complex diagnoses. Appropriately plans work operations for recreation therapy programs, including VA National Veteran Sports Programs and Special Events, sets priorities, delegates tasks, solves problems related to work performed in the program, and is accountable for the quality, performance, timeliness, and productivity of the Recreation Therapy services provided.
• The supervisory Recreation Therapist provides clinical guidance to staff recreation therapists, Creative Arts Therapists, yoga specialist and recreation therapy assistants in the delivery of recreation therapy services. This involves careful planning, coordination, and continuous assessment to guarantee the well-being and progress of the veteran involved in the Recreation Therapy Program.
• Works effectively as part of the therapy team to provide effective and efficient recreation therapy services to the assigned patient group. Also, effectively initiates assisting the larger team of co-workers in providing timely recreation therapy services as indicated.
• Determines applicable competencies and assesses the competency of assigned staff within established guidelines. Provides guidance to staff regarding improvement of knowledge and skills needed to improve competencies.
• Analyze clinically appropriate data to effectively optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the program. Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, and evaluates program to ensure methods, deadlines, quality and quantity standards are met.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in effective management and administration in areas of supervision, consultation, negotiation, and monitoring of program elements and subordinates.
• Independently assembles pre-evaluation data, interprets medical record information, reviews therapy prescriptions and conducts cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure evaluations of the patient in order to develop and implement a comprehensive treatment plan.
• Develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration, and treatment. Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Utilizes behavioral interventions and therapeutic procedures designed to reduce stress, anxiety, and maladaptive behaviors, recover basic motor functioning, reasoning abilities, build confidence, and develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary to re-enter the community in a productive manner.
• Determines applicable competencies and assesses the competency of assigned staff within established guidelines. Provides guidance to staff regarding improvement of knowledge and skills needed to improve competencies.
• Prepares and gives performance appraisals within the facility's guidelines and incorporates effective and appropriate guidance to subordinates to improve their performance.
• Independently interprets provider referrals and consults and applies health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
• Participates in team conferences, rounds, discharge planning meetings, specialty clinics, other assigned medical and administrative meetings.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, occasional weekend/holiday as needed. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 580-01366-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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

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.
  
  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

Grade Determinations:

GS-12
(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:

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

Preferred Experience: Experience supervising recreation therapists or interdisciplinary rehabilitation staff, including performance management, staff development, scheduling, and quality improvement initiatives. Experience working in the VA healthcare system or a comparable inpatient, outpatient, or rehabilitation setting with knowledge of VA policies, interdisciplinary care, and evidence-based therapeutic recreation practices. Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic recreation programs; managing budgets and resources; and ensuring compliance with Joint Commission, CARF, VA, or other regulatory and accreditation standards.

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 12.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic/hospital setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

How you will be evaluated

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

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
Current permanent VA employees of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
All other VA employees
Current Permanent Federal employees of other agencies
All other applicants

If Veterans Preference applies add: Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred based on the Veterans' Preference


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.