Recreation Therapist

Veterans Health Administration•Durham, NC

About The Position

This position is in the Recreation Therapy section of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service at the Durham VA Health Care System. The therapist serves residents of the Community Living Center and assists with outpatient services. Treatment follows a four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation, and may address complex medical or mental health needs. The therapist provides recreation therapy as both an adjunctive and primary therapeutic service and integrates it into multidisciplinary treatment plans. The role includes assessing patients across cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure domains; selecting evidence-based interventions; evaluating progress and modifying treatment plans; and documenting evaluations, interventions, re-evaluations, and discharges in accordance with PM&RS procedures and VA policy. The therapist also participates in co-treatment, including neurological rehabilitation, mental health recovery programs, and palliative care. The position includes responsibilities for National Veterans Programs, including establishing participation policies and procedures, determining patient eligibility to participate, preparing for events, coordinating with the National Team, and ensuring timely completion of applications. The therapist also gives lectures and demonstrates treatment interventions on the job. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The position requires driving patients; a driver's license and an Employee Occupational Health physical are required.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
Must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, with a major in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure with an option or emphasis in therapeutic recreation, and a degree approved by NCTRC; alternatively, a bachelor's degree or higher in any field approved by NCTRC and CTRS certification.
Must be certified as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
For GS-11, must have at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Must demonstrate ability to adapt assessments and interventions to complex diagnoses or disabilities, use clinical reasoning to identify need for further assessment, and use unconventional methods and techniques when appropriate.
Must demonstrate knowledge of independently interpreting provider referrals and consults and applying health and safety regulations to mitigate risks in patient care and the care environment.
Must demonstrate skill communicating and educating patients, families, caregivers, and health care professionals clearly and concisely to facilitate interdisciplinary treatment.
Must demonstrate skill independently using screening and evaluation techniques for direct patient care, including recommendations for recreation therapy assistive devices and their fit and function.
Must demonstrate skill independently applying evidence-based and best-practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
Must demonstrate knowledge of recreation therapy assessment principles and treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits.
Must have a driver's license and complete an Employee Occupational Health physical because driving patients is required.
Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation.
Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Must complete required application and onboarding steps and serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience working in Geriatrics and Extended Care.
One year of experience completing patient needs assessments and evaluations.
Experience developing treatment plans.
Completed BLS training.

Responsibilities

Receive consults and conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessments across cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure domains.
Develop appropriate, evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for patients with complex medical or mental health issues.
Evaluate treatment results and modify, redirect, adjust, or augment treatment plans according to patient response, progress, needs, skills, abilities, and interests.
Provide recreation therapy services as adjunctive or primary therapeutic services, as appropriate.
Integrate recreation therapy into multidisciplinary treatment plans.
Use resourceful and individualized methods when implementing therapeutic interventions.
Assess whether patients need additional, alternative, or terminated services; monitor intervention effectiveness and modify plans as needed.
Analyze protocols, modalities, and programs for targeted groups, identify risks, and determine when adaptive interventions are needed.
Participate in co-treatment, including neurological rehabilitation, mental health recovery programs, and palliative care.
Document initial evaluations, interventions, re-evaluations, and discharge notes in accordance with PM&RS procedures and VA policy.
Enter Return To Clinic Orders in CPRS to meet scheduling requirements and support timely veteran care.
Give lectures on treatment techniques and provide on-the-job demonstrations of interventions.
Establish policies and procedures for patient participation in National Veterans Programs.
Determine whether patients may participate in National Programs based on medical status, behavior, and compliance with registration and preparation requirements.
Coordinate pre-event preparations, meetings, timely patient applications, and communication with the National Team.
Drive patients.
Perform other duties as assigned.