Recreation Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • San Juan, PR

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties Conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure). Incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered. The therapist constructs evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical and/or mental health issues, such as polytrauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), spinal cord injury (SCI), substance use disorder/addictions, serious mental illness (SMI), chronic pain, and hospice/palliative care requirements. Educates patients, their families, and caregivers regarding treatment interventions and goals, in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes. .Implements and modifies the treatment plan and goals as necessary throughout the course of treatment to ensure optimum outcomes. Documents assessments, goals, patient/family education, progress, and change in treatment or patient condition in medical records accurately. Compiles daily, weekly, or monthly statistics for ongoing reporting. Assists in patient coverage for absent staff members to ensure continuity and quality of care.

Administration Assists with the Performance Improvement efforts for the recreation therapy section, following activities that detect and remedy deficiencies in process and outcomes. Maintains a state authorized driver's license and completes required training to be able to transport patients as needed using the medical center's means for transportation. Participates in the evaluation of equipment and supplies needs and makes recommendations to facilitate service delivery. Prepares in-services to educate pertinent staff and providers on recreation therapy services. Participates in staff orientation. 3. Meets the needs of customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, volunteers, co-workers, facility staff and the public) supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and interacts with customers in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner, while providing consistent information in accordance with established policies and procedures. Address conflict and concerns constructively and appropriately. Willingly accepts additional and special assignments that are necessary to meet program goals and/or customer needs.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
• A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure, with an option and/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 must be a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS). The degree must be approved by the NCTRC.
• Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC.
• Recreation and creative arts therapists must actively pursue meeting registration and/or certification requirements, starting from the date of appointment.
• Failure to become registered and/or certified within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation, and may result in termination of employment.
• A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
• Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient.
• Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations, to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, and environmental maintenance.
• Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process.
• Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
• Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment interventions to address the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities and demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function and utilization of unconventional methods and techniques.
• Knowledge to independently interpret provider referrals and consults; and apply all health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and the environment of care.
• Skill in effectively communicating and educating, in a clear and concise manner, with patients, families, caregivers, and other health care professionals to facilitate the interdisciplinary treatment process.
• Skill in independently utilizing appropriate screening and evaluation techniques required to appropriately provide direct patient care in areas such as, but not limited to recommendations for recreation therapy assistive devices, including fit and function.
• Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits.

Nice To Haves

• Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Responsibilities

• Conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure).
• Incorporate the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered.
• Construct evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical and/or mental health issues.
• Educate patients, their families, and caregivers regarding treatment interventions and goals, including adaptations for optimal treatment outcomes.
• Implement and modify the treatment plan and goals as necessary throughout the course of treatment.
• Document assessments, goals, patient/family education, progress, and changes in treatment or patient condition in medical records accurately.
• Compile daily, weekly, or monthly statistics for ongoing reporting.
• Assist in patient coverage for absent staff members to ensure continuity and quality of care.
• Assist with Performance Improvement efforts for the recreation therapy section.
• Maintain a state authorized driver's license and complete required training to transport patients.
• Participate in the evaluation of equipment and supplies needs and make recommendations.
• Prepare in-services to educate pertinent staff and providers on recreation therapy services.
• Participate in staff orientation.
• Meet the needs of customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, volunteers, co-workers, facility staff and the public) supporting VA missions.
• Communicate and interact with customers in a courteous, tactful and respectful manner.
• Address conflict and concerns constructively and appropriately.
• Willingly accept additional and special assignments.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)
• Federal employee benefits package including a comprehensive benefits package.
• Access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

What This Job Offers

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