Recreation Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Cleveland, OH

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting a Recreation Therapist within its Recreation Therapy Service. The therapist provides therapeutic care and rehabilitation to Veterans with complex medical and mental health challenges. The role includes evaluating patients, developing individualized treatment plans with measurable goals and objectives, delivering direct patient care, and documenting patient progress and intervention outcomes. The therapist collaborates with other care team members and may assist with clinical intern learning experiences. The position receives guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff for the most complex patients and otherwise requires only general supervision.

The work schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, with shifts of 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or 11:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m., and rotating holidays. Telework is unavailable, and this is not a virtual position. The vacancy may be filled at GS-7 through GS-11; GS-11 is the full performance level. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station costs are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, either with a major in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure with an option or emphasis in therapeutic recreation, or in any field with CTRS certification. The degree must be approved by the NCTRC.
• Certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the NCTRC, except for the specified temporary graduate recreation therapist appointment exception at GS-7 and GS-9.
• 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 and abilities in assessment and treatment, health and safety, communication and education, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• For GS-11, at least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade, plus the stated KSAs in complex assessment and intervention, independent interpretation of referrals and safety requirements, communication, screening and evaluation, assistive-device recommendations, evidence-based interventions, and recreation therapy principles.
• Meet applicable qualification requirements within 30 calendar days of the announcement closing date.
• Foreign education must be evaluated by a qualified private organization as equivalent to U.S. education; a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript are required when applicable.
• Submit a transcript with the application when education is used to meet qualification requirements.
• Comply with Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete a background/security investigation, onboarding requirements, and acceptable identity-document verification.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification for continued employment upon its completion.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience in physical rehabilitation.
• Preferred experience in long-term care.
• Current VHA employees in this occupation may qualify under the applicable grandfathering provision.

Responsibilities

• Conduct patient evaluations and comprehensive evaluations based on recreation therapy consults.
• Analyze assessment data to develop individualized goals, objectives, and treatment plans of care.
• Review patient progress and determine whether additional, alternative, or terminated services are appropriate.
• Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives, including scope, duration, and practice, in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Provide direct patient care, seeking higher-level or supervisory guidance for the most complex patients.
• Collaborate with other members of the care team to provide services.
• Document behavioral observations, patient progress and functioning, and intervention outcomes.
• Assist in providing learning experiences for Recreation Therapy clinical interns as needed.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility and details depend on the position and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for prior federal work or military service if requested and approved before appointment; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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