Recreation Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Phoenix, AZ

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Recreation Therapist provides direct care to Veterans with a range of disabilities and diagnoses, including amputation, paralysis, neurological and orthopedic conditions, behavioral health and psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, respiratory disorders, chronic cardiovascular disease, and needs related to blind rehabilitation, hospice, and palliative care. The therapist conducts comprehensive evaluations, interprets assessment data across cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure domains, and develops individualized treatment plans with measurable goals and objectives in collaboration with other stakeholders.

The role delivers evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for complex medical and mental health needs, including polytrauma, PTSD, substance use disorders, serious mental illness, and palliative care. Interventions may address stress, anxiety, maladaptive behaviors, motor function, reasoning, confidence, coping, and skills needed for community reintegration. The therapist evaluates treatment effectiveness, modifies or discontinues services as appropriate, considers adaptations and assistive technology, and participates in interdisciplinary and co-treatment services. Guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff is received for only the most complex patients.

The position requires the ability to interpret referrals and consults, apply health and safety regulations, communicate and educate patients and their support networks, and independently select screening and evaluation techniques. Two schedules are listed: Position 1 is Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with a flexible Sunday shift, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Position 2 is Tuesday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with a flexible Saturday shift, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-11; selection may be at GS-07 through GS-11.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with a major in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure and an option or emphasis in therapeutic recreation; the degree must be approved by NCTRC; or a bachelor's degree or higher in any field from an accredited college or university and certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by NCTRC.
• Certification as a CTRS by NCTRC; certification cannot be waived for applicants qualifying through a degree in another field.
• GS-9 qualification: at least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level, or a master's degree in recreation therapy in lieu of the required year of professional experience.
• GS-9 candidates must demonstrate knowledge of assessment tools and treatment; knowledge of health and safety regulations; ability to communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and health professionals; and knowledge of evidence-based and best-practice therapeutic interventions.
• GS-11 qualification: at least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.
• GS-11 candidates must demonstrate the ability to adapt assessment tools and interventions to complex diagnoses; independently interpret referrals and consults and apply safety regulations; effectively communicate and educate patients and care partners; independently use screening and evaluation techniques, including assistive-device recommendations; independently apply evidence-based interventions; and understand recreation therapy assessment and treatment principles.
• Applicants must meet the education, certification, and experience requirements for the grade at which they are considered.
• Subject to background/security investigation and completion of online onboarding and application requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a VA health care personnel requirement.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Must meet applicable physical examination requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience planning, facilitating, and developing recreation therapy programs.
• Experience related to mental health and pain management.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Experience working with a treatment team and providing one-to-one interventions.
• Three or more years of recreation therapy experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessments across cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure domains.
• Develop competencies and apply clinical practices in assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, evaluation, documentation, and ethics.
• Use the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation process to analyze and revise clinical practice and services.
• Develop and deliver evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for patients with complex medical and mental health conditions throughout the facility.
• Review recreation therapy consults and conduct comprehensive evaluations.
• Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable goals and objectives, including scope, duration, and treatment, in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Recommend adaptations, modifications, and assistive technology to support patient needs and preferences.
• Design individualized interventions using activity and task analysis, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic procedures to support function, coping, confidence, and community reintegration.
• Use therapeutic strategies such as stress reduction, social skills training, motor learning, anger and pain management, recovery support, and adjustment to disability.
• Implement individualized interventions using methods such as assistive technology, cognitive behavioral skills, wellness education, adapted sports, leisure education, and community accessibility and reintegration.
• Evaluate patient needs for additional, alternative, or terminated services and monitor and modify intervention plans as needed.
• Analyze the effectiveness of protocols, modalities, and programs for groups; identify risks and adaptive interventions to improve biopsychosocial well-being.
• Participate in co-treatment, including neurological rehabilitation, mental health recovery programs, and palliative care.
• Conduct discharge analysis for community needs.
• Adapt assessment tools and interventions to complex diagnoses and disabilities, and identify when further functional assessment or unconventional methods are needed.
• Interpret provider referrals and consults and apply health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in patient care and the care environment.
• Communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and health care professionals to facilitate interdisciplinary treatment.
• Independently use appropriate screening and evaluation techniques to provide direct care, including recommendations for recreation therapy assistive devices and their fit and function.
• Accept and appropriately respond to supervision and work as part of interdisciplinary treatment.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits and eligibility depend on the position type.
• Selected applicants may qualify for annual leave accrual credit based on prior federal employment or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level