Recreation Therapist

Summary

The Recreation Therapist is assigned to Rehab & Extended Care at the St. Cloud VA Health Care System. Recreation Therapist provides treatment interventions incorporating the four-step process of assessment – planning – implementation – and evaluation of patient treatment services. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information – refer to Required Documents below.

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.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education
• (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
• Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC
• If hired under education paragraph (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
• English Language Proficiency
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English - as required by 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• 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)
• Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Professional Recreation Therapy or Creative Arts Therapy Practices
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - and abilities (also referred to as "clinical competencies") associated with current professional recreation therapy practices
• Evidence of such experience includes private practice - U.S. military services - local/state/federal government organizations - for profit/non-profit organizations - health care - or educational facilities
• (2) Quality of Experience
• Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to the next lower grade level
• Experience satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice - which may be paid or non-paid employment as a recreation or creative arts therapist
• Grade Determinations:
  Recreation Therapist - GS-7 Experience/Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment
• Employees at this level serve in an entry level position as a recreation therapist
• They work under the direct supervision of a recreation or creative arts therapist - at or above the full-performance level - or a designated supervisor in a clinical environment
• Employees have knowledge of their respective discipline - and work with guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff
• Established treatment procedures are substantially adapted and applied for acutely ill patients
• Employees at this level would not be assigned work at a community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) - unless supervision is on site
• 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…