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Summary The Recreation Therapist - Whole Health will report to the Organizational Health & Experience Department at the Sheridan VA Medical Center (VAMC). The duties & responsibilities of the position are carried out throughout the Sheridan VAMC catchment area. The Rec Therapist will be an integral member of the treatment team & work with an interdisciplinary team to identify patient needs/goals, develop treatment plans, & serve as a subject matter expert for consultation in the clinical field. Responsibilities Independently completes complex evaluations and interprets a wide variety of patients' physical and psychosocial level, provides, and progresses Whole health interventions/recreational therapy treatments as appropriate. Treats patients that range in age from young adult to geriatric who may experience complex medical or mental health issues. Utilizes various methods to evaluate and interpret specific physical and psychosocial problems and implements the appropriate therapy/interventions as necessary to teach new or compensating skills to restore patients' recreational pursuits. Independently solves complex problems related to recreation therapy/whole health interventions, adapts, and modifies treatment plans, activities, and procedures as a result of changing medical conditions or because of a variety of severe physical and mental disabilities in order to meet the needs of Veterans with complex disabilities. Consults with patients, their families, and caregivers, and educates regarding treatment interventions and goals, in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Provides appropriate Recreation Therapy interventions in both individual and group-based sessions in outpatient, inpatient, and community living center settings. Documents patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, and plans, and other reports in a thorough and timely manner according to facility policy. Serves as a subject matter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals and serves as the Recreation Therapy representative on interdisciplinary teams as assigned or needed. Develops and coordinates an outdoor therapeutic recreation program. Modalities may include kayaking, bicycling, hiking, fishing, nature activities, seasonal sports, animal interventions, and challenge course/team building activities. Provides leisure resources and opportunities to Veterans and their families. Establishes relationships with community organizations to build community partnerships that will give Veterans additional recreation/whole health opportunities after discharge from therapeutic programs. Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday (Final/permanent schedule can be negotiated upon selection). Compressed/Flexible: May be available at the supervisor's discretion. Telework: This may be authorized for telework - situational (ad hoc) and has NOT been authorized as virtual or remote. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54542-0 / 54543-0 / 54544-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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 form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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 during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications *** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 30, 2025, or until the position is filled. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be October 31, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. *** Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred & tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: U.S. 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 &/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 & 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-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate recreation therapist, under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B), for a period not to exceed two years. The exception only applies to positions at the GS-7 & GS-9 level. Failure to Obtain Certification. Must actively pursue meeting the certification requirement, starting from the date of appointment. Failure to become certified within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 occupation, & may result in termination. Loss of Credential. Recreation therapists who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a recreation therapist, on the effective date of this qualification standard (6/7/2019), are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including positive education, and registration &/or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Grade Determinations: Recreation Therapist, GS-7 Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Recreation Therapist, GS-9 Experience/Education. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-7), or a master's degree in recreation therapy may be substituted for the required 1 year of professional recreation therapist experience. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of assessment tools & treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient. Knowledge to interpret & apply all health & safety regulations, to minimize & mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care, & environmental maintenance. Ability to effectively communicate & educate patients, families, caregivers, & other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process. Knowledge to apply evidence-based & best practice therapeutic techniques & interventions. Assignment. Employees at this level serve in a developmental position. Working under general supervision to perform work in a clinical environment. The recreation therapist may: conduct patient evaluations; analyze & interpret leisure, cognitive, & motor skill assessment data to develop individualized goals, objectives, & treatment plan of care; develop & select interventions to achieve patient goals; review patient progress; adapt/adjust the treatment plan; implement therapeutic interventions that support measurable functional outcomes; evaluate patient needs for additional, alternative, or termination of services; document patient's behavioral observations, progress, functioning, & intervention outcomes; & develop & provide collaborative services with other team members. Recreation Therapist, GS-11 Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level (GS-9). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to adapt assessment tools & treatment interventions to address the complexity of the diagnosis or disabilities & demonstrate the clinical reasoning necessary to identify the need for further in-depth specific assessment of function & utilization of unconventional methods & techniques. Knowledge to independently interpret provider referrals & consults; & apply all health & safety regulations to minimize & mitigate risks in the provision of patient care & the environment of care. Skill in effectively communicating & educating, in a clear & concise manner, with patients, families, caregivers, & other health care professionals to facilitate the interdisciplinary treatment process. Skill in independently utilizing appropriate screening & 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 & function. Skill in independently applying evidence-based & best practice therapeutic techniques & interventions. Knowledge of the principles & techniques in recreation therapy assessment & the treatment of recreation, leisure, & biopsychosocial functional deficits. Assignment at the GS-11 level. With independent judgment administers & interprets assessments & utilizes clinical competencies to develop unconventional assessments & interview approaches to effectively elicit information. Constructs evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical/mental health issues & hospice/palliative care requirements. They provide direct patient care & receive guidance from higher-level supervisory staff members. Preferred Experience: Working in a CLC unit. Program development. Writing SOPs & SOWs. Complementary therapies. Ability to drive Veterans. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Ability to tolerate & work in extreme weather conditions, including snow & heat for prolonged periods of time. This may include walking & moving equipment in snow & mud. Also, requires the ability to work at high altitudes for extended periods of time. Regular &/or recurring physical exertion such as prolonged walking or standing, bending, lifting, or moving of equipment. This could include lifting a minimum 50 pounds & ascending/descending stairs carrying a minimum 30 pounds. Work demands require specific, common physical characteristics & abilities, such as above average agility & dexterity. This physical exertion can also occur while actively involved in physical activity with the patient. Requires walking, standing, sitting, lifting, traveling, shifting, kneeling, stooping, extending grasping, bending, pushing, pulling, pivoting, twisting, squatting, turning, balancing, stretching, reaching, carrying, & dragging. Participation in recreational & competitive sports activities, which are physical in nature such as, but not limited to, bowling, cycling, snow skiing, challenge courses, kayaking, & rock climbing. Must possess & maintain a current valid state drivers license. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.