Recreation Therapist - Aquatic Therapy

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Brockton (MA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Brockton, MA is seeking a Recreation Therapist to oversee the Aquatic Therapy program within CDCE at VA Boston Healthcare System.

The role involves direct patient care, aquatic therapy activities, and program oversight, with requirements including a bachelor's degree in recreation therapy (NCTRC approved) or CTRS certification, and lifeguard certification within 6 months of hire. Telework not available; Mon-Fri schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation therapy from an accredited college, approved by the NCTRC.
• CTRS certification required or eligible for registration.
• Lifeguard certification to be obtained within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Perform aquatic therapy activities and oversee the aquatic therapy program.
• Assess, analyze, interpret, and report data across cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure domains.
• Develop evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for patients with complex medical or mental health issues.
• Lead aquatic exercise groups and supervise aquatic therapy equipment usage.

Skills

Lifeguard certification

Aquatic therapy

Assessment tools

Interdisciplinary communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation therapy

CTRS certification

Tools

Aquatic therapy equipment

Recreation therapy tools

Job description

Summary

This Recreation Therapist position is in the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) - in Voluntary Services at the VA Boston Healthcare Systems - located at the Brockton - MA location. This position will oversee our Aquatic Therapy program.

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: 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: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist: Recreation Therapist: 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: Recreation Therapist: 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-registered and/or non-certified applicants - who otherwise meet the 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
• See Education for more information: Grade Requirements: Creditable Experience: Knowledge of Current Professional Recreation Therapy or Creative Arts Therapy Practices: To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - and abilities (also referred to as "clinical competencies") associated with current professional recreation or creative arts therapy practices
• Evidence of such experience includes private practice - U.S. military services - local/state/federal government organizations - for profit/non-profit organizations - health care - or educational facilities
• Quality of Experience: Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to the next lower grade level
• Experience satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice - which may be paid or non-paid employment as a recreation or creative arts therapist
• Grade Determinations: Recreation Therapist - GS-7: Experience/Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• Recreation Therapist - 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
• Recreation Therapist - 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
• Preferred Experience: Must have recreation therapy experience - aquatic therapy specific experience preferred
• Will need to be lifeguard certified or willing to attain certification within 6 months of hire
• 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-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Duties are physical in nature - requiring strong swimming skills - standing - walking - bending - stooping - lifting light to medium weight objects - and pushing wheelchairs
• Requires the ability to carry light to medium weight items such as papers - books - or other supplies - as well as heavier items such as durable medical equipment
• The incumbent needs to be able to handle the therapy & recreation equipment for patient care activities and uses the computer and other standard office equipment to complete administrative tasks
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The Recreation Therapist is a direct patient care position in which the incumbent is responsible for performing the work of a recreation therapist - performing aquatic therapy activities - and aquatic therapy program oversight - which encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities
• Major duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Must attain lifeguard certification - lifeguard training - certification - and aquatic therapy certification within 6 months of hire
• Conduct - analyze - interpret - and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive - sensory - social - affective - physical - and leisure)
• Incorporating the four-step process of: assessment - planning - implementation - and evaluation of services delivered
• Constructs appropriate and evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues such as Polytrauma (TBI)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Substance Use Disorder/Addictions
• Serious Mental Illness
• and Hospice/Palliative Care
• Provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision
• Review recreation/aquatic therapy consults and conduct comprehensive evaluations
• Using activity/task analysis - behavioral interventions - and therapeutic procedures - design individualized treatment interventions
• Determines effectiveness of protocols - modalities - and programs
• Leads and oversees aquatic exercise groups - demonstrates proper use of aquatic equipment
• Must attain lifeguard certification - lifeguard training certification - and aquatic therapy certification within 6 months of hire
• Work Schedule: Full-Time
• Monday - Friday: 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PDF06046 - PDF06045 - and PDF06044 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• Financial Disclosure: Not Required
• Notifications: This position is in the excepted service
• This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure - and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
• Narrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment
• This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA Boston campuses and CBOC's
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.