SummaryThe Greater Los Angeles Health Care System (GLAHCS) is seeking a Recreation Therapist to serve at the Lancaster, CA location within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation service.*Will be at the West Los Angeles Main Campus or Sepulveda, CA location depending on the needs of the service until the Lancaster CBOC opens in September.*Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates06/17/2025 to 06/26/2025Salary$58,244 - $112,053 per yearPay scale & gradeGS 7 - 11Location1 vacancy in the following location:Lancaster, CA 1 vacancyRemote jobNoTelework eligibleNoTravel Required25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.Relocation expenses reimbursedNoAppointment typePermanentWork scheduleFull-timeServiceExceptedPromotion potential11Job family (Series)Supervisory statusNoSecurity clearanceDrug testNoPosition sensitivity and riskTrust determination processFinancial disclosureBargaining unit statusAnnouncement numberCBSX-12751261-25-JOTControl number838979000This job is open toClarification from the agencyThis position is open to the public. ***If you are a current, permanent VHA employee, please apply to the Internal Announcement Vacancy 12751058***VideosDutiesDuties include but are not limited to:

Developing, organizing, and managing a recreation therapy program for a patient caseload within Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service.
Conducting patient evaluations and analyzing/interpreting leisure, cognitive, and motor skill assessment data to develop individualized goals, objectives, and treatment plan of care.
Performing documentation of patient care, including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports as needed.
Educating patients, their families, and caregivers during consultations as required regarding treatment interventions and goals, in addition to any consideration involving adaptations to better ensure optimal treatment outcomes.
Acting as a representative of Recreation Therapy on interdisciplinary teams of their specialty, when needed and reporting outcomes and requests to their supervisor.

Preferred Experience:

1 year of Recreation Therapist experience in an outpatient setting with at least 75% adult population.

Work Schedule: MWF 0800-1630; TTh 1100-1930
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsConditions 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.
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
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).

QualificationsApplicants 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:Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.Education. The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below:

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. If hired under paragraph 4b(1)(b), certification cannot be waived.

Exception. Non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification, 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. Applicants who fail to obtain 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 certified.

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).GRADE DETERMINATIONS:GS-07 Recreation Therapist

Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-09 Recreation Therapist

Experience/Education. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or possess a master's degree in Recreation Therapy AND can demonstrate all the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

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.

GS-11 Recreation Therapist

Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level AND can demonstrate all the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

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 .The full performance level of this position is GS-11.Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; pushing or pulling heavy objects; leading or directing physical exercise. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures, as well as skill and ability in the therapist's assigned discipline.EducationIMPORTANT: 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: . 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: .Additional informationDuring 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 at .

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. .

Recreation Therapist

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