Recreation Therapist - Aquatic Therapy

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Marshall Corner (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System, Brockton, MA, seeks a Recreation Therapist to oversee the Aquatic Therapy program within the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) in Voluntary Services.

This full-time role supports patient care through evidence-based recreation therapy practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation therapy or a degree with CTRS approval.
• CTRS certification required or must obtain certification as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide recreation therapy services and oversee aquatic therapy program.
• Interpret referrals and implement evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• Educate patients, families, and health care teams to facilitate treatment.

Skills

Assessment tools

Communication

Safety compliance

Therapeutic techniques

Education

Bachelor's in recreation therapy

CTRS certification or eligibility

Job description

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. 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:
  • 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.

Creditable Experience

1. 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.
2. 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

• 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

• 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.

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.

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/.

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.