Recreation Therapist - EDRP - RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is Friday, May 29, 2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed. (NOTE: Applications expire after 90 days. Please update application thru USAJobs if you wish to be reconsidered.)

The incumbent is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating all clinical and administrative aspects of the activities associated with the Recreation Therapy program within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS)/Audiology Department of the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS). The incumbent will practice Recreation Therapy primarily in the Community Living Center (CLC) and Veteran Healing Center (VHC) at the George H. O'Brien Jr., Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Big Spring, Texas. The incumbent may participate in temporary assignments throughout WTVAHCS as directed by the Recreation Therapy Supervisor, Chief, PM&RS/Audiology, or designee. The incumbent serves as the subject matter expert for Recreation Therapy programming for the CLC and VHC, in addition, evaluates patients, plans, establishes, and provides a full range of comprehensive treatment procedures designed to improve biopsychosocial well-being. The incumbent provides clinical supervision and guidance to the recreation assistants and recreation therapy assistants as necessary. Please note, the incumbent will be required to provide Recreation Therapy coverage as needed at all sites of care for the WTVAHCS. The incumbent will work one weekend a month, and Holidays as needed.

Major duties at the full performance level include:

• Function with independent judgment to administer and interpret recreation therapy assessments and utilize clinical competencies to develop unconventional assessments and interview approaches to effectively elicit information.
• Conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, effective, physical, and leisure).
• Incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered by the therapist constructs evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical or mental health issues, such as polytrauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), spinal cord injury (SCI), substance use disorder/addictions, serious mental illness (SMI), and hospice/palliative care requirements.
• Provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher level supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision.
• Review recreation therapy consults and conduct comprehensive evaluations.
• Based upon assessment data, and in collaboration with other stakeholders, the therapist develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration, and treatment.
• Recommend adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy.
• Through the use of activity/task analysis, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic procedures, the therapist designs individualized treatment interventions to reduce stress, anxiety, and Maladaptive behaviors; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence; and develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary to re-enter the community in a productive manner.
• Resourcefulness is exercised in providing individualized, unique, effective methods and procedures when implementing Therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to: assistive technology; cognitive behavioral skills; aquatic therapy; fitness and wellness; community accessibility/reintegration/transition; and adapted sports and leisure development.
• Intervention plans are monitored for effectiveness, making modifications, as needed.
• Recreation therapists determine the effectiveness of protocols, modalities, and programs for targeted groups through quantitative analysis and identifying potential risks and needs adaptive interventions to facilitate improved biopsychosocial well-being.
• Participate in co-treatment opportunities, including but not limited to: neurological rehabilitation, mental health recovery programs, and palliative care related to the symptoms of a terminal illness.
• Discharge analysis and planning is conducted for community needs.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm required to work some holidays and weekends
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: GS-11: 54434F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN17EDRP2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist.
  • 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:
  • Required Certification - Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC.
  • Loss of Credential. A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.
• Grandfathering Provision: 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).
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations:
Recreation Therapist, GS-11
Experience. At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level.
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.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with Adult population;
• Experience working with Mental Health population;
• Experience working in a residential rehabilitation setting

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.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination

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/.

Accreditation Information: The bachelor's degree or higher, must be from an accredited college or university 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. Degree must be approved by the NCTRC.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the NCTRC website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

• 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.