Recreation Therapist

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
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• 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: 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
• 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: Experience/Education
• 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
• 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
• Experience includes but not limited to: conduct patient evaluations
• analyze and interpret leisure, cognitive, and motor skill assessment data to develop individualized goals, objectives, and treatment plan of care
• develop and select interventions to achieve patient goals
• review patient progress
• adapt or adjust the treatment plan and intervention strategies
• implement therapeutic interventions that support measurable functional outcomes (interventions include, but are not limited to leisure education, reality orientation, memory, and gross motor activities)
• evaluate patient needs for additional, alternative, or termination of services
• document patient’s behavioral observations, progress, functioning, and intervention outcomes
• and develop and provide collaborative services with other team members
• Therapists at this level may be given general assignments in a program area
• 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: Adaptative sport and therapeutic recreation intervention, community reintegration, Interdisciplinary team, strong documentation skills, experience inpatient and outpatient settings with tetra/paraplegia
• Spinal Cord Injury Clinical experience inpatient and outpatient settings, adaptative equipment expertise
• 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-7 to GS-11
• Selective Placement Factor (SPF) for locations in Puerto Rico- This position includes a skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to -and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job
• Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position
• Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration
• Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor must be reflected in your resume
• The SPF for this position is: In addition to the English Language Proficiency, you must also be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish in order to perform the duties of this position
• 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
• pushing or pulling heavy objects
• leading or directing physical exercise
• The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures, as well as skill and ability in the therapist’s creative arts discipline.