Job Summary

The Staff Recreation Therapist is assigned to the Recreation Therapy Department within Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service (PM&RS) and provides Recreation Therapy at the Salisbury VA Medical Center which is a 1-A facility.

Job Description

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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) 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. Required Certification. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. 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). 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: This position requires walking, standing, lifting at least 50lbs, transferring patients to and from wheelchairs with the use of assistive/adaptive devices, and participation in Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy clinics which may be physical in nature. Additional physical demands include: kneeling bending, pushing, stopping, extending, grasping, pulling, shifting patients, retrieving, pivoting, twisting, squatting, turning, balancing, stretching, reaching, carrying, swinging, creative movement, dodging, and dragging. The work requires specific, common physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity. This position requires Therapists to drive motor vehicles and/or wheelchair bus/vans. The work involves driving an automobile and going in and out of a variety of settings in the community, city, and long-distance driving, assisting patients with loading and unloading into and out of a wheelchair accessible bus and securing wheelchairs and patients for transportation. All Therapists will participate in an additional driver training.