Recreation Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Battle Creek, MI

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting a Recreation Therapist within the Mental Health Service. Recreation therapy is a healthcare discipline focused on providing evidence-based therapeutic recreation services to restore, remediate, and rehabilitate functional capabilities for Veterans living with injuries, chronic illnesses, or disabling conditions.

The therapist assesses patients, develops individualized treatment plans with measurable functional outcomes, and delivers appropriate interventions through individual or group sessions, protocols, and programs. The role includes explaining interventions and their expected outcomes, observing and documenting patient responses, and evaluating whether services are effective or should be continued, changed, or discharged. Evaluation may include participation, behavioral observations, changes in functioning, intervention outcomes, risk-related incidents, and program effectiveness.

The position is within the Mental Health Service at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. The work schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework may be available with supervisor approval; the position is not virtual. The vacancy’s full performance level is GS-11, with selection possible from GS-7 through GS-11.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• 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, approved by the NCTRC; or a bachelor's degree or higher in any field and CTRS certification, with the degree approved by the NCTRC. A qualifying VA grandfathering provision may apply to eligible current VHA employees.
• Certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), subject to the stated temporary graduate-therapist exception for eligible GS-7 and GS-9 appointments.
• For GS-9: at least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade, or a master's degree in recreation therapy in lieu of that experience, plus the stated knowledge of assessment and treatment, health and safety, communication and education, and evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
• For GS-11: at least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade, plus the stated abilities and knowledge in adapting assessments and interventions, interpreting referrals, risk mitigation, interdisciplinary communication, independent screening and evaluation, evidence-based interventions, and recreation therapy assessment and treatment.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for VA healthcare personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Be in overall good health and able to perform the described physical duties, with reasonable accommodation if necessary.
• If using foreign education to qualify, provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine assessments to collect systematic, comprehensive, and accurate information and determine a course of action.
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on assessment, including measurable functional outcome goals and the type, frequency, duration, and intensity of treatment.
• Provide appropriate therapeutic recreation interventions to treat and manage patient cases.
• Conduct individual and group sessions, protocols, and programs; explain their purpose, expected outcomes, and steps to patients.
• Observe patient responses to interventions and document relevant information.
• Evaluate services using comprehensive data to assess changes in functioning, plan or program effectiveness, and the need for additional, alternative, or discontinued services.
• Review participation, behavioral observations, progress or regression, functional level, intervention outcomes, risk-related accidents and incidents, and measures of program effectiveness.
• Apply health and safety practices to minimize and mitigate risks in patient care and the care environment.
• Communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to facilitate treatment.
• Use screening and evaluation techniques to support direct patient care, including recommendations for recreation therapy assistive devices and their fit and function.
• Drive government vehicles and transport Veterans to and from community recreational interventions as needed.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Selected applicants may request prior federal or military service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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