Recreation Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Therapist at the Atlanta VAHCS delivers recovery-oriented recreational and creative arts therapy across mental health settings. You will apply established modalities, assess, plan, intervene, and evaluate outcomes to support veteran wellness.

Eligible applicants may be considered pending licensure requirements, with final hiring contingent on meeting all standards. English language proficiency is required, and certification pathways include CTRS or ATR registration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure with NCTRC approval.
• Alternative: Bachelor’s degree in any field plus CTRS certification (NCTRC). If hired under this path, certification cannot be waived.
• Certification required: CTRS or ATR registration depending on path.
• English proficiency required in speaking and writing.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical recreation/creative arts therapy interventions.
• Develop and implement treatment plans and goals.
• Assess patient needs, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes.
• Collaborate with the care team to support recovery, rehabilitation, and wellness.

Skills

Assessment tools

Clinical reasoning

Patient communication

Evidence-based therapies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation

CTRS certification

ATR registration

Job description

The Therapist is assigned to the Mental Health at the Atlanta VAHCS. The incumbent provides clinical interventions through the application of established modalities, incorporating assessment, treatment planning, intervention, and evaluation of outcomes. Clinical duties are performed independently with responsibility for applying a range of recreation/creative arts therapy treatment models to support Veteran recovery, rehabilitation, and wellness across mental health and related care settings. 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

Education: Have 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. This degree is approved by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).

OR

Have a bachelor's degree or higher in any field from an accredited college or university AND am a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). This degree is approved by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived.

Certification. Required Certification

1. Recreation Therapy. 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. Creative Arts Therapist. Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration with the ATR. If hired under paragraph 4b(2)(b), registration cannot be waived.
3. 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.

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 listed above, applicant must meet grade requirement for the position:

Applicants must have at least one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of the knowledge, skills and abilities associated with current recreation therapy practice. Experience may be paid or non-paid employment as a recreation therapist in the health care field.

At the GS-9 level, Recreation Therapists serve in a developmental position. They work under general supervision to perform work in a clinical environment. They may: conduct patient evaluations; analyze and interpret leisure, cognitive, and motor skill assessment data to develop individualized goal, 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 strategize; implement therapeutic interventions that support measurable functional outcomes; evaluate patient needs for additional, alternative or termination of services; document patient's behavioral observations, progress, functioning, and intervention outcomes; and develop collaborative services with other team members.

• 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 effective 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.

Additionally, applicants must demonstrate 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.

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 GS-11.

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.