Recreation Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs in Augusta is seeking a Recreation Therapist to assess patient needs, develop individualized treatment plans, and provide direct patient care within a multidisciplinary team. You will maintain documentation and promote a safe therapeutic environment while supporting patients and families in achieving treatment goals.

The role requires adherence to policies, licensure/certification requirements, and may involve pending qualifications before full hire.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment options for patient conditions.
• Ability to interpret and apply health and safety regulations to minimize risk.
• Ability to educate patients, families, and care teams to facilitate treatment.
• Knowledge of evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques.

Responsibilities

• Assess patient needs and create individualized, evidence-based treatment plans.
• Provide direct patient care and support interdisciplinary teams.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure a safe, therapeutic care environment.
• Support patients and families in meeting treatment goals.

Skills

Assessment tools

Health and safety regulations

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Evidence-based therapy

Education

Bachelor's in therapeutic recreation (NCTRC approved)

CTRS certification

Job description

This position is part of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service. The Recreation Therapist assesses patient needs, creates individualized and evidence-based treatment plans, and maintains accurate documentation. The role includes providing direct patient care, offering subject matter expertise to interdisciplinary teams, and supporting patients and families in meeting treatment goals. The therapist also ensures adherence to policies and promotes a safe, therapeutic care environment. 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 (Transcripts with education conferral date may be requested):
  • 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.
• Creative Arts Therapist (Art)
  • (a) A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in art therapy approved by the American Art Therapy Association on or before 3 June 30, 2016. If the degree is received after June 30, 2016, a master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with a major in art therapy, must be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Art Therapy Education: a committee of the Commission on Accreditation on Allied Health Education Program.
  • OR,
  • (b) A master's degree in a related field, plus graduate coursework and supervised field experience in art therapy. Acceptable related fields include: Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, Psychology, Addictions Counseling, Psychiatric Nursing, and Psychiatry, AND must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration as a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) approved by the Art Therapy Credentials Board. If hired under this education, the registration cannot be waived.
• Creative Arts Therapist (Dance/Movement)
  • A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major or an emphasis in dance therapy or dance/movement therapy. The degree must be approved by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA),
  • A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a board-certified dance/movement therapist (BC-DMT) approved by the Dance Movement Therapy Certification Board (DBMTCB). If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived. NOTE, Dance/movement therapy coursework that began on or after March 15, 2013, must have been approved by the ADTA subcommittee for the approval of alternate route courses.
• Creative Arts Therapist (Drama)
  • A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a drama degree program approved by the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA),
  • OR,
  • b. A master's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, and must be a registered drama therapist (RDT). The RDT is granted by the NADTA and indicates that one has met the educational requirement and achieved competency in the practice of drama therapy. If hired under this education, the registration cannot be waived.
• Certification for:
  • 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.
  • Creative Arts Therapy (Music). Applicants must be a MT-BC approved by the CBMT. If hired under paragraph 4b(5)(b), certification cannot be waived.
  • Creative Arts Therapy (Dance/Movement). Applicants must be board-certified in dance/movement therapy by the DMTCB. If hired under paragraph 4b(3)(b), certification cannot be waived
• Registration
  • Creative Arts Therapy (Art). Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration with the ATR. If hired under paragraph 4b(2)(b), registration cannot be waived.
  • Creative Arts Therapy (Drama). Must possess a full, current, and unrestricted registration as a RDT. If hired under paragraph 4b(4)(b), registration cannot be waived
• NOTE: Applicants MUST submit copies of applicable transcript(s) or certification(s) with graduation/conferred date (unofficial copies are acceptable)

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).

Recreation Therapist, GS-7

Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

Recreation Therapist, Developmental Position- GS-9

Experience: 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

• 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, Full Performance GS-11

Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 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 in the range of GS-7 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.