Recreation Therapist

Veterans Health Administration; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Recreation Therapist at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System to provide care and rehabilitation to Veterans with diverse physical, cognitive and behavioral health needs.

Applicants may be referred on a temporary basis if requirements are not yet met; certification must be obtained for higher levels. This role operates within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services to support patient care.

Qualifications

• Must be certified in recreation therapy as CTRS by the NCTRC or have a CTRS credential with degree approval by NCTRC.
• Education options include a bachelor’s degree in recreation/therapeutic recreation with NCTRC approval or a bachelor’s in any field with CTRS certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide care and rehabilitation to Veterans within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services.
• Apply evidence-based therapeutic techniques and interventions.
• Coordinate with care teams to educate patients, families and caregivers.

Skills

Assessment tools

Health & safety regulations

Patient education

Evidence-based therapy

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelors in Therapeutic Recreation/NCTRC approved

Bachelors in any field + CTRS (NCTRC approved)

Job description

The Recreation Therapist at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System works within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services, providing care and rehabilitation to Veterans with a wide range of disabilities, including physical, neurological, behavioral health, psychiatric, cognitive, and chronic medical conditions.

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: 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 individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: 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.

Certification: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 4b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived. Exception. Non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation 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 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 certified. 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).

GS-07 Recreation Therapist Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-09 Recreation Therapist Experience/Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or possess a master's degree in Recreation Therapy AND can demonstrate all the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• 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.

GS-11 Recreation Therapist Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level AND can demonstrate all the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• 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 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 07 to 11. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walki