Recreation Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, ME

10h • Onsite

About The Position

The Recreation Therapist position is in Sensory and Physical Rehabilitation Services (SPRS) at the VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta, Maine. The therapist provides evaluation and treatment to prevent, remediate, and rehabilitate acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction. They administer and monitor therapeutic interventions based on goals established through patient evaluations. Duties are performed in the medical center and community, across clinical, administrative, and patient care areas associated with SPRS.

The therapist evaluates Veterans' mental, emotional, social, and physical capabilities and needs; administers and interprets assessments; and maintains competencies in testing and treatment practices. Working with the multidisciplinary treatment team, Veterans, and families or caregivers, the therapist develops and coordinates treatment plans and activities focused on therapeutic objectives. The role also includes providing instruction, equipment, materials, encouragement, or counseling to support therapeutic activities, and documenting treatment and patient progress in medical records.

This is a full-time position with a Monday–Friday schedule of 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with occasional weekend and holiday work. Telework and virtual work are not available. The incumbent may need to travel to other VA campuses and community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). The position requires frequent stooping, bending, walking, handling wheelchairs, and lifting in connection with patient treatment; occasional heavy lifting may be necessary to prevent a patient from falling. Dexterity and safe machinery techniques are also required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, with a stated exception for non-citizens when qualified candidates cannot be recruited under applicable law.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A bachelor's degree or higher in therapeutic recreation or recreation/leisure with an option or emphasis in therapeutic recreation, from an accredited institution, with a degree approved by the NCTRC; alternatively, a bachelor's degree or higher in any field from an accredited institution and CTRS certification, with the degree approved by the NCTRC.
• Certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Certification cannot be waived when hired with a degree outside recreation.
• For GS-09: one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade, or a master's degree in recreation therapy in lieu of that year, and demonstrated knowledge of assessment tools and treatment, health and safety regulations, communication and patient education, and evidence-based and best-practice therapeutic interventions.
• For GS-11: one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade, and demonstrated ability to adapt assessments and interventions to complex conditions; independently interpret referrals and apply safety regulations; communicate and educate effectively; independently screen and evaluate patients, including recommendations for recreation therapy assistive devices; independently apply evidence-based and best-practice interventions; and knowledge of recreation therapy assessment and treatment principles.
• Applicants must meet the applicable grade-level experience, education, and demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements. The vacancy's selection range is GS-07 to GS-11, with GS-11 as the full performance level.
• Subject to satisfactory completion of the credentialing process and a background/security investigation.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period; continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Must actively pursue required registration or certification when applicable; failure to obtain or maintain required credentials may result in removal from the occupation and potentially termination.
• Frequent stooping, bending, walking, handling wheelchairs, and lifting are required; occasional heavy lifting may be needed to prevent a patient from falling. Dexterity and 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 competencies in testing procedures and practices, and introduce new methods when appropriate.
• Guide recreation therapy assistants in observing and informally assessing and reassessing Veterans in their care.
• Use effective interviewing techniques to obtain 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 achieving 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 responses in the medical record.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to position and eligibility rules.
• Selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is required and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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