Recreational therapists develop, organize, and administer therapeutic programs for patients in various medical and psychiatric settings. This role involves providing treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including general medical and surgical, chemical dependency, acute psychiatry, day treatment, and spinal cord injury units.
Responsibilities
Evaluate, establish goals based on evaluation findings, and develop treatment interventions
Implement and modify treatment plans and goals as necessary throughout the course of treatment to ensure optimum outcome
Use Recreation Therapy expertise for direct service delivery to patients
Act as a subject matter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals
Serve as Recreation Therapy representative on interdisciplinary teams as assigned or needed
Educate patients, their families, and caregivers regarding treatment interventions and goals, in addition to any consideration involving adaptation to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes
Complete administrative duties as assigned (work orders, information processing, program development) for the PM&R Service or Medical Center
Professionally represent the Service and/or administration on behalf of the Medical Center during off-station events, committee meetings, and contacts with outside agencies
Attend staff meetings as directed
Maintain timely and appropriate documentation of all consults, initial evaluations, progress notes, discharge notes, patient/family education, workload statistics, QA monitors, patient attendance records, and other clinical activities
Follow appropriate billing and coding practices
Input scheduling data into computer systems or through approved charting methods and update daily to reflect the status of patients, in concert and accordance with Medical Center policies on scheduling, consult management, and electronic wait list entry
Complete all employee/patient incident documentation in a timely manner as required by hospital or Service policy
Perform other duties as assigned
Requirements
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
Must pass pre-employment physical examination
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
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Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement
You will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated
Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
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
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
Must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC
At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-9)
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
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package
Access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career very rewarding
Credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience (must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed)
Important Details
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm (Some weekends may be required)
Application deadline: September 30, 2027
Application Process
Complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account
Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date
Provide a complete Application Package which includes a Resume
Use the standard Clinical Resume Document (one-page document, does not need to be modified, must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field)
Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field
Include all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
Submit a Cover Letter
Submit DD-214/ Statement of Service
Submit Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Submit Disability Letter (VA)
Submit License
Submit Other (1)
Submit PCS Orders
Submit Performance Appraisal
Submit Professional Certification
Submit Separation Notice (RIF)
Submit SF-15
Submit SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Submit Transcript
Eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire
Provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.)
If currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days, submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation
Disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form
About the Company
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process. The Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. The VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.
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