Recreation Therapist

The Recreation Therapist is assigned to the Recreation Therapy Department located within Rehabilitation Care Services at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Recreation Therapists provide treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient treatment services.

Responsibilities include:

• Administration of treatment: Serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team recommending treatment objectives and goals.
• Assessment and treatment planning: Uses effective interviewing techniques to obtain objective and factual information pertaining to the Veteran's interests and aptitudes.
• Treatment evaluation and adjustment: Conducts ongoing evaluations of therapy results and independently modifies, redirects, adjusts, and augments treatment plans as indicated.
• Program responsibilities: The incumbent will be responsible for one or more programs such as Physical Fitness Reactivation, Community Reintegration, Leisure Education and Skill Development, Student Education Programs, Sports Athletic Program, Whole Health/Wellness, and Quality Management.

Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday, 7:30am-5:00pm, Every other Sunday (Wk 2 of PP) 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Requirements: 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 trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Education. The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist: (1) Recreation Therapist (a) 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, (b) 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. (1) Required Certification (a) Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. (2) 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.

Preferred Experience: Demonstrated experience in providing evidenced based therapeutic recreation interventions to elderly patients; Specific experience in planning and conducting recreation therapy for patients with dementia; Experience working with patients diagnosed with ALS, Parkinson's Disease, amputations, stroke, brain injury, multiple sclerosis (MS), and other neurological conditions; Previous experience providing recreational therapy in inpatient hospital units, long-term care, or hospice facilities; Proven ability to design and implement recreational therapy programs for outpatients, specifically those with physical impairments; Skill in conducting assessments and developing personalized recreational therapy plans based on patients' needs and goals; Maintain a valid driver's license and good driving record required to transport patients; Knowledge of age-specific therapeutic techniques and the ability to apply these techniques effectively with older adults.