Recreation Therapist

Serves as Recreation Therapist Program Coordinator for the VA San Diego SCI/D Service, providing advanced rehabilitation care to inpatient and outpatient Veterans and Active Duty members with spinal cord injuries and multiple complex conditions. Oversees recreation therapy services, conducts assessments, develops treatment approaches, coordinates interdisciplinary care, manages workflows, mentors staff, supports outreach efforts, and serves as a regional clinical resource across the VA.

Qualifications:

Resume Requirement: Your resume must be detailed include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment; and average hours worked per week.

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.
• Education. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements: possessing a degree in an approved degree program by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC):
  • 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.
  • OR
  • Exception. Non-registered and/or non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the 5 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)

Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a recreation or creative arts therapist, on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including positive education, and registration and/or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Preferred Experience:
Experience working with people with SCI/D or severe disability

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conducts comprehensive recreation therapy assessments across cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure functioning domains for Veterans and Active Duty members with SCI/D and complex medical conditions.
• Develops individualized, evidence-based treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.
• Provides advanced therapeutic interventions utilizing activity analysis, behavioral interventions, adaptive techniques, and therapeutic procedures to support functional recovery, coping skills, and community reintegration.
• Designs and implements treatment strategies focused on stress reduction, pain management, motor learning, social skills development, self-esteem enhancement, adjustment to disability, and grief/loss support.
• Utilizes assistive and adaptive technology, aquatic therapy, fitness and wellness programming, adapted sports, and community reintegration planning to meet individualized patient needs.
• Orders, evaluates, and recommends adaptive sports and rehabilitation equipment, modifications, and assistive devices based on interdisciplinary recommendations and patient-centered goals.
• Reviews recreation therapy consults, performs comprehensive evaluations, and monitors patient progress to determine continuation, modification, alternative interventions, or discharge from services.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation including assessments, progress notes, care plans, consults, and therapeutic encounter documentation within the electronic medical record system.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives and utilizes automated data systems and quantitative analysis to evaluate treatment outcomes, protocol effectiveness, and patient safety trends.
• Serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in SCI/D recreation therapy by providing clinical guidance, mentorship, and education to staff, students, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Coordinates recreation therapy services across SCI/D hub and spoke networks, outpatient clinics, and community-based programs to ensure continuity of care and successful patient transitions.
• Facilitates Veteran participation in adaptive sports programs, national rehabilitation events, and community reintegration activities.
• Collaborates with community organizations, the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE), and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to coordinate patient care and therapeutic programming.
• Performs administrative and program coordination responsibilities including Joint Commission preparation, strategic planning, performance improvement activities, staff training, and interdisciplinary program support.
• Serves as a designated purchase cardholder in compliance with Federal and VA Acquisition Regulations, including procurement documentation, reconciliation of charges, IFCAP order entry, and records maintenance.
• Exercises independent professional judgment and advanced clinical reasoning in managing complex rehabilitation cases involving SCI/D, TBI, polytrauma, amputation, PTSD, neurological disorders, and chronic medical conditions.
• Participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning conferences, care coordination meetings, and collaborative patient care activities to support comprehensive rehabilitation outcomes.
• Ensures compliance with infection control, environmental safety, OSHA, emergency preparedness, and VA privacy and computer security requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm (Subject to change based upon the needs of the agency.)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $102,246