Recreation Therapist (SCI)

About the role

The Recreation Therapist (RT) is assigned to the Spinal Cord Injury Service (SCIS) at VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS). The primary function of this position is direct patient care. Staff SCI RTs are responsible for providing assessment and treatment intervention for SCI Veterans.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary and evidence-based RT practice as it relates to spinal cord injuries
• Completes thorough initial evaluations, assessments, and goal setting to develop and carry out RT treatment to meet the individual rehabilitation objectives which may include: teaching adaptive strategies or compensatory techniques, use of assistive technology, computers or cellphones, and adapted equipment
• Conducts treatment interventions, one-on-one or group settings, of psychosocial activities for coping and adjustment to change, the appropriate use of leisure time, adaptive sports, independent living skills, social interaction skills, community skills, pre-vocational or work adjustment skills, mobility exercises, cognitive retraining and training to patients following SCI
• Collaborates with OT and PT in developing and participating with patient, family or caregiver in aquatic therapy program or use of gym for neuro rehab and exercise
• Provides education and training of assistive technologies for communication and environmental access including ECUs, computers, cellphones, adaptive video gaming, VR and adapting access for higher level SCI injuries
• Participates in home visits as appropriate to patient's home or place of employment with patient and/or family to assess accessibility, mobility, environmental barriers, ergonomic considerations, and transportation options as it relates to the SCI population
• Documents patient's initial evaluation/discharges, treatment sessions, goals, patient/family education, continuously re-evaluates patient performance making appropriate modifications to the treatment plan as indicated
• Participates in interdisciplinary team rounds, team/patient panels to communicate patients' physical and psychosocial performance, current status and continuing goals
• Participates in RT, SCI, and interdepartmental staff development programs, in-services, conferences, patient and staff education lecture series, and completes annual competencies for RT and SCI
• Serves as coach for SCI team to provide education and training to prepare athletes for travel and competition at these events
• Represents SCI Veterans/VAPSHCS while developing essential relationships with community partners

Requirements

• Basic Requirements: US Citizenship, Non-citizens may only be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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 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-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 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 Failure to obtain registration/certification within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation - and may result in termination of employment 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: Recreation Therapist - GS-7 Experience/Education None beyond the basic requirements Recreation Therapist - GS-9 Experience/Education At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level 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 (KSAs) In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient ii Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations - to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care - and environmental maintenance iii Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients - families - caregivers - and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process iv Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions 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: i 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 ii 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 iii 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 iv 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 v Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions vi Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation - leisure - and biopsychosocial functional deficits Preferred Experience: Adaptative sport and therapeutic recreation intervention - Community reintegration - Interdisciplinary team - Strong documentation skills - experience inpatient and outpatient settings with tetra/paraplegia Spinal Cord Injury Clinical experience inpatient and outpatient settings - adaptative equipment Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements: US Citizenship, Non-citizens may only be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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 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-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 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 Failure to obtain registration/certification within two years from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0638 recreation and creative arts therapist occupation - and may result in termination of employment 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: Recreation Therapist - GS-7 Experience/Education None beyond the basic requirements Recreation Therapist - GS-9 Experience/Education At least one year of creditable experience at the next lower grade level 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 (KSAs) In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i Knowledge of assessment tools and treatment for the diagnosis or disability of the patient ii Knowledge to interpret and apply all health and safety regulations - to minimize and mitigate risks in the provisions of patient care - and environmental maintenance iii Ability to effectively communicate and educate patients - families - caregivers - and other health care professionals to facilitate the treatment process iv Knowledge to apply evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions 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: i 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 ii 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 iii 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 iv 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 v Skill in independently applying evidence-based and best practice therapeutic techniques and interventions vi Knowledge of the principles and techniques in recreation therapy assessment and the treatment of recreation - leisure - and biopsychosocial functional deficits Preferred Experience: Adaptative sport and therapeutic recreation intervention - Community reintegration - Interdisciplinary team - Strong documentation skills - experience inpatient and outpatient settings with tetra/paraplegia Spinal Cord Injury Clinical experience inpatient and outpatient settings - adaptative equipment Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards

Skills

• 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

Benefits

• Not specified

Pay

• Not specified

Schedule

• 7:30AM - 4PM - Monday - Friday