Recreation Therapist

Recreation Therapists provide treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services.

Duties will vary by grade. At the GS-11 full performance level of the grade, the incumbent serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team recommending treatment objectives and goals. Responsible for providing assessment and treatment interventions. Employs therapeutic objectives which are complex because of the severe and multiple disabilities regularly encountered. Duties will include: Interprets and administers physicians' recreation therapy consults/orders, schedules patient for treatment and integrates recreation/creative arts interventions with other treatments in order to achieve the goals established for the patient. Develops treatment plans and administers therapeutic recreation interventions which are directed to such goals as sensory integration, ambulation, diminishing emotional stress, community re-entry, reality orientation, muscular dysfunction and reorientation, treatment of psychosocial dysfunction, providing a sense of achievement and progress and channeling energies into acceptable forms of behavior. Teaches independent living skills, social interaction skills, adjustment and coping skills, pre-vocational or work adjustment skills, power wheelchair, manual wheelchair and other mobility device community training, aquatic therapy techniques, adaptive sports and community transportation planning and safety. Interviews Veterans with severe and/or multiple diagnoses that require unconventional interview approaches and treatments to devise effective methods and procedures. Assesses the need for and the patient's ability to use adaptive equipment including ADL aides, power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs and other mobility devices, assistive technology, etc. in the community setting. Administers, scores or interprets a variety of creative, leisure and motor skills assessments. Evaluates the assigned patient's mental, emotional, social and physical capabilities to determine the patient's needs in recreation therapy. Develops therapeutic programs for various types of disabilities which include psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, neuromuscular disorders, orthopedic conditions, amputation, paralysis, spinal cord injury, head injury, respiratory disorders, chronic cardiovascular diseases, visual impairment and patients with multiple diagnoses. Administers mental and physical assessments for patients with severe and/or multiple diagnoses. As an expert in recreation therapy, oversees the administration and interpretation of assessments. Guides recreation therapy assistants in the correct methods of administering and interpretation of assessment results. Functions as a core team member of a clinical multi-disciplinary team for the purpose of providing total health care delivery to the patient, and continuity of care by sharing ideas and exchanging pertinent information. Coordinates a wide range of interventions with other services in the development of appropriate patient treatment programs. Documents patient care using the electronic medical record and updates per medical documentation policy to reflect current status of patients. Prepares and submits initial, progress and discharge notes (in accordance with service policy. Performs regular assessments and leisure diagnostic evaluations to determine the appropriate treatment in conjunction with the interdisciplinary treatment team/physician. Discusses progress with treatment team, suggests adjustments to interventions based on sound professional arguments. Frequently selects, adapts, and/or adjusts recreation modalities in accordance with rehabilitation goals. Independently modifies techniques and develops new approaches as necessary to ensure realization of patient treatment goals. Responsible for one or more programs such as Physical Fitness Reactivation, Community Reintegration, Leisure Education and Skill Development, Student Education Programs, Sports Athletic Program, Whole Health/Wellness, and Quality Management. Participates in ward rounds with ward physicians and other members of the treatment team. He/She also explains and discusses both theoretical and practical aspects of reaction therapy treatment and/or therapeutic techniques with various groups within the medical center. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Friday, 7:30am-5:00pm, every other Saturday (Wk 1 of PP) 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: See above Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Must possess a valid drivers' license and be cleared to drive a government vehicle.