Recreation Therapist

Full Job Description

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To evaluate patients, plan and administer treatment, assess aptitudes and interests, and recommend adjustment in patients' treatment plans.

The Organizational Location of the Position is: Recreation Therapy Service, VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS), Bonham, TX.

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: The following education requirements apply to the 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: Required Certification - Recreation Therapist.

Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. 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 Failure to Obtain Registration/Certification.

In all cases, recreation and creative arts therapists must actively pursue meeting registration and/or certification requirements, starting from the date of appointment.

At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unregistered and/or uncertified recreation or creative arts therapist with the written requirement to obtain registration/certification, the date by which the registration and/or certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming registered and/or certified by the deadline.

Failure to become registered and/or certified within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation, and may result in termination of employment.

Loss of Credential.

A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.

Grandfathering Provision: 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).

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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: CTRS; New grad, 1 + year experience; Small/large group facilitation; Behavioral health experience; Experience in community inclusion services; Experience in implementation of whole health interventions 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.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Major Duties:

This is a direct patient care position in which the incumbent is responsible for performing the work of a recreation therapist in the medical center.

The work encompasses a variety of different duties and responsibilities: Evaluates the assigned patients' mental, emotional, social, and physical capabilities to determine the patients' needs in Recreation Therapy.

Uses effective interviewing techniques to obtain objective and factual information pertaining to the veteran's interests and aptitudes.

Observes the patient during trial assignments to confirm initial assessment. Frequent in-person contacts are performed to practice effective interviewing techniques and establish immediate rapport.

Develops treatment plans using client's assessment and physician or nurse's therapy orders. Develops intermediate and long-term goals and objectives with each patient in his/her assigned program.

Coordinates the overall treatment plan with the treatment team and patient's family/caregiver to provide a program that focuses on treatment goals.

Serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team recommending treatment objectives.

Plans various activities directed towards achieving such therapeutic objectives as diminishing emotional stress, providing a sense of achievement, channeling energies and interests, aiding physical and mental rehabilitation, and promoting successful community re-entry.

Plans routine recreation therapy activities to meet treatment objectives.

Plans treatment based on a medical referral and the selection of appropriate graduated treatment activities that will enable patients to achieve the treatment objectives.

Implements therapy activities for patients who are capable, interested, and generally receptive and positive about the activity.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized