Recreational Therapist

Veterans Health Administration • Memphis, TN

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Recreation Therapist develops, organizes, and administers recreation therapy programs for Veterans in General Medical and Surgical, Chemical Dependency Center, Acute Psychiatry, Day Treatment Center, and Spinal Cord Injury Unit settings. Services are provided in inpatient and outpatient environments. The therapist evaluates patients, establishes goals based on evaluation findings, and develops, implements, and modifies treatment plans and interventions to support optimal outcomes. The role provides direct recreation therapy services and serves as a subject matter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals.

The therapist participates in interdisciplinary teams and educates patients, families, and caregivers about treatment interventions, goals, and adaptations. The position also includes administrative and program-development work for PM&R Service or the Medical Center; representation of the Service or administration at off-station events, committee meetings, and external agency contacts; and attendance at staff meetings as directed.

The therapist maintains timely clinical documentation, including evaluations, progress and discharge notes, education records, workload statistics, quality-assurance monitoring, attendance records, and other clinical activities. Responsibilities also include following billing and coding practices, entering and updating patient scheduling data in accordance with Medical Center policies, completing incident documentation, and performing other assigned duties.

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; some weekends may be required. Telework is not authorized, and the position is not virtual. Relocation, recruitment incentives, and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• 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; or 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 NCTRC, subject to the stated grandfathering provision for qualifying current VHA employees.
• At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-9) for the GS-11 position.
• Ability to adapt assessment tools and treatment interventions to complex diagnoses or disabilities and use clinical reasoning to identify the need for further assessment.
• Knowledge of interpreting provider referrals and consults and applying health and safety regulations to mitigate risks in patient care and the care environment.
• Skill in clear, concise communication and education with patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
• Skill in independently using screening and evaluation techniques for direct patient care, including recommendations for recreation therapy assistive devices and their fit and function.
• Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best-practice therapeutic techniques and interventions.
• Knowledge of recreation therapy assessment principles and techniques and treatment of recreation, leisure, and biopsychosocial functional deficits.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation.
• Must meet onboarding, identification, and application documentation requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patients, establish goals based on evaluation findings, and develop treatment interventions.
• Implement and modify treatment plans and goals as needed throughout treatment to support optimal outcomes.
• Provide direct recreation therapy services to patients.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals.
• Represent Recreation Therapy on interdisciplinary teams as assigned or needed.
• Educate patients, families, and caregivers about treatment interventions, goals, and relevant adaptations.
• Complete administrative duties, work orders, information processing, and program development for PM&R Service or the Medical Center.
• Represent the Service or administration at off-station events, committee meetings, and contacts with outside agencies.
• Attend staff meetings as directed.
• Maintain timely and appropriate clinical documentation, workload statistics, quality-assurance records, and patient attendance records.
• Follow appropriate billing and coding practices.
• Enter and update patient scheduling data in computer systems or approved charting methods in accordance with Medical Center policies.
• Complete employee and patient incident documentation in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, with eligibility dependent on position type.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior federal employment or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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