Recreation Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Long Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, seeks a Recreation Therapist at the full performance level to develop and administer therapeutic programs for geriatric patients. The role emphasizes evidence-based recreation therapy and collaborative care across health professionals.

Required a bachelor's degree in recreation therapy (NCTRC-approved) or a related field, with CTRS certification if applicable.

Qualifications

• Must have completed degree as specified and be NCTRC-approved.
• CTRS certification required if hired under alternative education path.
• Transcripts must be submitted with the application.

Responsibilities

• Develop, organize, and administer therapeutic recreational programs for geriatric patients.
• Provide therapeutic intervention tailored to complex diagnoses and functional deficits.
• Independently interpret referrals and apply health and safety regulations.
• Educate patients, families, and health care teams to support treatment plans.
• Utilize evidence-based techniques in recreation therapy assessment and treatment.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Assessment adaptation

Health and safety awareness

Interdisciplinary communication

Direct patient care

Recreation therapy knowledge

Education of patients/families

Education

Bachelors degree in therapeutic recreation or related, NCTRC-approved

Bachelor's degree + CTRS certification option (NCTRC approved)

Job description

The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center (TRMC) in the Geriatric Extended Care Healthcare Group. The primary purpose of this position is to develop, organize, and administer therapeutic recreational programs to provide therapeutic intervention and Specialized work performed on behalf of the geriatric population. 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

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)).
• English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education:
  • (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); (Transcripts are required to be submitted with your application)
  • 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. (Transcripts are required to be submitted with your application)
• Required Certification for Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(1)(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-11

(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 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: At least two years of professional recreational therapy or therapeutic recreation experience in healthcare, rehabilitation, behavioral health, long-term care, or community-based clinical setting.

References: June 7, 2019 VA Handbook 5005/111 Part II, Appendix G60. 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: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job considering their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.