Qualifications

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.

Basic Requirements:

• 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)
• Creditable Experience 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-07 Experience/Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Grade Determinations: GS-09 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-11 Experience
• At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level GS-09
• Examples of experience include: conduct patient evaluations
• analyze and interpret leisure, cognitive, and motor skill assessment data to develop individualized goals, objectives, and treatment plan of care
• develop and select interventions to achieve patient goals
• review patient progress
• adapt or adjust the treatment plan and intervention strategies
• implement therapeutic interventions that support measurable functional outcomes (interventions include, but are not limited to leisure education, reality orientation, memory, and gross motor activities)
• evaluate patient needs for additional, alternative, or termination of services
• document patient's behavioral observations, progress, functioning, and intervention outcomes
• and develop and provide collaborative services with other team members
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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
• 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-07 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies
• Recreation Therapists must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the applicant or others
• Position requires walking throughout the clinic, and the Medical Center, standing for extended periods of time, and involves sitting at a computer and in counsel and consultation with Veterans and interdisciplinary teams
• Recreation Therapists drive government vehicles and may transport Veterans to and from recreational interventions in the community
• This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures
• transcribing
• viewing a computer terminal
• extensive reading
• and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.