Recreation Therapist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 54,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Recreation Therapist is assigned to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. The role provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services.

Additional duties include clinical training of recreation therapy students, work-study students and volunteers and completion of various administrative tasks within the department.

Qualifications

• Must be CTRS certified by NCTRC.
• Education as specified: degree in therapeutic recreation or CTRS approved by NCTRC; or a general degree with CTRS.
• English proficiency as required by federal standards.
• Experience level: GS-11 requires at least one year at the next lower grade.

Responsibilities

• Provide treatment interventions using assessment-planning-implementation-evaluation cycle.
• Train recreation therapy students, work-study students, and volunteers.
• Complete administrative tasks within the department.
• Ensure compliance with VA policies and professional standards.

Skills

Clinical reasoning

Assessment adaptation

Interdisciplinary communication

Screening/evaluation

Evidence-based therapies

Recreation therapy knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or CTRS (NCTRC approved)

Bachelor’s degree + CTRS certification (NCTRC approved)

Job description

The Recreation Therapist is assigned to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. The Recreation Therapist provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services. Additional duties include clinical training of recreation therapy students, work-study students and volunteers and completion of various administrative tasks within the department. 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

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

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.

Preferred Experience:

Minimum 2 years, experience working with people with mild to severe memory loss.

Reference:

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

Physical Requirements:

The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures.