Recreation Therapist

Veterans Health Administration•Augusta, ME

9h•Onsite

About The Position

The Recreation Therapist works in Sensory and Physical Rehabilitation Services (SPRS) at the VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta, Maine. The role provides evaluation and treatment to prevent, remediate, and rehabilitate acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction. The therapist administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals established through patient evaluations. Duties are performed in the medical center and the community across clinical, administrative, and patient care areas associated with SPRS. The therapist evaluates Veterans’ mental, emotional, social, and physical capabilities and needs; administers, scores, and interprets creative and motor skills tests; and uses interviews and trial assignments to assess interests, aptitudes, and treatment needs. The therapist collaborates with Veterans, families or caregivers, and multidisciplinary treatment teams to set objectives and coordinate treatment plans. The role also includes planning and facilitating therapeutic activities, coordinating programs with other services, guiding recreation therapy assistants in observation and reassessment, and documenting treatment and patient progress in the medical record.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, with limited exceptions for non-citizens when qualified candidates cannot be recruited under applicable law.
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 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 certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), with the degree approved by the NCTRC.
Certification as a CTRS by the NCTRC, subject to the stated temporary appointment exception for eligible applicants at GS-07 or GS-09.
For GS-09, at least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level, or a master’s degree in recreation therapy in place of that experience, and the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
For GS-11, at least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level and the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Ability to satisfy credentialing, background/security investigation, onboarding, and other pre-employment requirements.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
May be required to travel to other VA campuses and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics.
Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
Frequent stooping, bending, walking, handling wheelchairs, and lifting are required; occasional heavy lifting may be necessary in unforeseen situations such as preventing a patient from falling.
Dexterity and skill in safe machinery techniques are required.

Responsibilities

Administer, score, and interpret creative and motor skills tests.
Evaluate Veterans’ mental, emotional, social, and physical capabilities to determine recreation therapy needs.
Administer mental and physical tests for patients with severe or multiple diagnoses.
Maintain professional competency in testing procedures and practices and introduce new methods as appropriate.
Guide recreation therapy assistants in observing and informally assessing and reassessing Veterans in their care.
Use effective interviewing techniques to gather objective information about Veterans’ interests and aptitudes.
Observe Veterans during trial assignments to confirm initial assessments.
Coordinate treatment plans with the treatment team and the Veteran’s family or caregiver, focusing on treatment goals.
Serve as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team and recommend treatment objectives.
Plan activities directed toward therapeutic objectives.
Provide equipment, materials, instruction, encouragement, or counseling to promote positive therapeutic activities.
Coordinate activities with other services to develop appropriate treatment programs.
Document treatment provided and Veterans’ progress and response in the medical record.