Recreation Therapist

Recreation therapy is a health care discipline designed to provide treatment services to restore, remediate, and/or rehabilitate functional capabilities for Veterans with injuries, chronic illnesses and disabling conditions. The overall goal of this work will be to provide treatment that will support Veterans in their individual goals for recovery and assist Veterans in becoming independently able to meet their own leisure and recreation needs.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: 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. If hired under this education, the certification cannot be waived.
• Certification: Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC.
  • Exception. Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for registration and/or certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation or creative arts therapist, under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B), for a period not to exceed two years. Applicants who fail to obtain registration and/or certification during this temporary full-time appointment may be terminated.
    
    The exception only applies to positions at the GS-7 and GS-9 level. For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be registered and/or certified.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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 Current Professional Recreation Therapy Practices:
To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (also referred to as “clinical competencies”) associated with current professional recreation therapy practices. Evidence of such experience includes private practice, U.S. military services, local/state/federal government organizations, for profit/non-profit organizations, healthcare, or educational facilities.

• Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

• Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level GS-07. Examples of experience may be: serves in an entry level position as a recreation therapist, has knowledge of their respective discipline, and works with guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff. OR A master's degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required one year of professional recreation therapist experience.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • 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.

• Experience. At least one year of…