Recreation Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a qualified Recreation Therapist to provide rehabilitation care for inpatients and outpatients with SCI/D and multiple diagnoses.

The role emphasizes assessment, program planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration in a VA medical setting. Qualified candidates will hold a Therapeutic Recreation degree with NCTRC approval or CTRS certification and English language proficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in therapeutic recreation or CTRS pathway with NCTRC approval.
• Certification as a CTRS by the NCTRC or eligible for temporary appointment as described.
• English proficiency in speaking and writing as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide recreation therapy assessments and direct patient care for SCI/D and related conditions.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the care team.
• Apply evidence-based therapeutic techniques and contribute to the interdisciplinary treatment process.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Communication with patients & staff

Assessment tools adaptation

Screening & evaluation techniques

Evidence-based therapies

Recreation therapy concepts

Education

Therapeutic Recreation degree (NCTRC-approved)

CTRS certification

Job description

The purpose of this position is to provide rehabilitation and care to inpatient and outpatient Veterans and Active Duty Service Members with SCI/D who may also present with multiple diagnoses, including traumatic brain injury, amputation, respiratory disorders, neurological disorders, orthopedic conditions, psychiatric diagnoses, and chronic cardiovascular diseases.

Resume Requirement

Your resume must be detailed include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment; and average hours worked per week.

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. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: possessing a degree in an approved degree program by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC):
  • 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.
  • OR
  • Exception. Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the 5 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)

Grandfathering Provision

All persons employed in VHA as a recreation or creative arts therapist, on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including positive education, and registration and/or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Grade Determinations

GS-11 E Experience:

At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level. The incumbent functions at full performance level, exercising independent judgment to administer and interpret recreation therapy assessments, and utilizes clinical competencies to develop unconventional assessment and interview approaches to effectively elicit functional information from complex patient populations.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• 1. 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 or unconventional methods and techniques.
• 2. 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 ad the environment of care.
• 3. Skill in effectively communication and education, in a clear and concise manner, with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the interdisciplinary treatment process.
• 4. 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.
• 5. Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
• 6. Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits

Preferred Experience

Experience working with people with SCI/D or severe disability

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

This works involves standing and walking for about 70-80% of a normal work day. In addition, the recreation therapist must be able to squat, kneel, push and pull, and lift loads from the ground and from above shoulder height. The physical demand level as defined by the Department of Labor is 'Medium' requiring the occasional lifting of 20-50 lbs., the frequent lifting of 10-25 lbs. and the constant lifting of 10 lbs. during the normal workday. Recreation Therapy in this setting requires manual dexterity and coordination to use adaptive recreation therapy equipment (i.e.,. handcycles, mono-ski's, etc.). In addition, recreation therapist must be able to modify such adaptive recreation equipment using tools including screwdrivers and wrenches