Recreation Therapist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Tuskegee (AL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Recreation Therapist for the Geriatrics and Extended Care section within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at CAHVCS in Tuskegee, Alabama.

The role focuses on providing recreation therapy to residents in a High Intensity Psychiatric Unit, ensuring patient safety and therapeutic outcomes. Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree in recreation therapy or a CTRS/NCTRC-approved credential, with KSAs in assessment, clinical reasoning, and patient

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure with option in therapeutic recreation.
• Must be CTRS certified by NCTRC or have a CTRS-equivalent credential.
• Education/Certification requirements may be grandfathered for current VA employees per policy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement recreation therapy for residents in High Intensity Psychiatric Unit.
• Follow policies to ensure patient safety and treatment efficacy.
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary team to support treatment goals.
• Maintain documentation and protect sensitive data in line with privacy laws.

Skills

Assessment tools

Clinical reasoning

Communication with patients

Infection control

Education of patients/families

Education

Bachelor's in recreation therapy

CTRS certification

NCTRC approval

Job description

Summary

The Recreation Therapist (RT) is assigned to Geriatrics and Extended Care under Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service to provide recreation therapy for residents in High Intensity Psychiatric Unit Mental Health for CAHVCS - Tuskegee - Alabama.

Summary

The Recreation Therapist (RT) is assigned to Geriatrics and Extended Care under Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service to provide recreation therapy for residents in High Intensity Psychiatric Unit Mental Health for CAHVCS - Tuskegee - Alabama.

Qualifications

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: 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: Must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC
• 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-7: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-9: Experience/Education
• 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
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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: Experience
• At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level
• 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
• 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-7. 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.

Duties

• Duties include - but not limited to: The incumbent handles problems and corrects errors in accordance with established procedures - modifies techniques - and develops new approaches to ensure the realization of patient treatment goals and develops criteria to measure therapy quality management service
• The Recreation Therapist works without direct supervision but is administratively responsible to the Supervisor Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy Section - Chief Physical Medicine - and Associate Chief of Staff Geriatric and Extended Care
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures
• Area of Work: High Intensity Psychiatric Unit Mental Health Services Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately
• Sensitivity to the special needs of all patients in respect to age - developmental requirements - and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved
• Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws - federal regulations - VA statutes and policy - and VHA policy
• Protects data from unauthorized release or from loss - alteration - or unauthorized deletion
• Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files - release of access codes - etc. - as set out in the computer access agreement that the incumbent signs
• Complies with federal - state - and local environmental and other requirements preventing pollution - minimizing waste - and conserving cultural and natural resources
• Reviews hazardous materials/Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/waste management
• Follows Emergency Preparedness plan
• The incumbent must adhere to Joint Commission National Patient Safety
• Demonstrates infection control practices for disease prevention (i.e. - hand washing - universal precautions/isolation procedures - including TB requirement/precautions)
• Work Schedule: Wednesday-Sunday 12:30pm-9:00pm
• May be required to work Holidays
• Work schedule subject to change based on agency needs
• Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 62604F / 61404F / 60604F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized