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Clinical Recreation Therapist Summary: Clinical Recreation Therapist (RT) position functions in the Medical Foster Care (MFH) & Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs, full performance RT functions as an independent clinical practitioner providing comprehensive therapeutic recreation specialty rehabilitation services to Veterans & family members in their homes. Collaborates with MFH & HBPC programs staff, guides & directs patient treatment to assist so Veteran obtains optimal levels of functioning while maintaining independence. Duties include, but are not limited to: Clinical: Providing recreational therapy services to Veterans enrolled in the El Paso VA, specifically the MFH and HBPC programs. Functioning with independent judgment to administer and interpret recreation therapy assessments and utilizing clinical competencies to develop unconventional assessment and interviewing approaches to effectively elicit information. Providing direct 1:1 treatment and services that require the exercise of mature professional judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of clinical skills. Carrying full professional responsibility for cases presenting a wide range of psychosocial and medical issues with no limitations (within his/her scope of clinical privileges) as to the range of service to be performed. Reviewing recreation therapy consults and conducting comprehensive evaluations and assessments, then analyzing, interpreting and reporting assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure). Recommending adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Responsible for planning, organizing, conducting, and supervising a comprehensive and complex therapeutic/ self-directed Recreation Therapy program that addresses the physical limitations, communicative disorders, cognitive deficits, social, emotional and/ or behavior reactions for adult Veterans of all ages. Responsible for administering interventions utilizing program adaptations to enhance the patient's potential and improve/support clinical outcomes, in accordance with the interdisciplinary treatment plans and predetermined treatment goals. Documenting the treatment rendered and the Veteran's progress and response to treatment in the medical record in timely manner per facility policy. Responsible for planning and executing recreational activities that may occur during the evening hours, nights, weekends and holidays. Administrative/Program: Participating in the overall activities of the Medical Foster Program. Participating in program planning and the development of working relationships with community agencies and resources. Collecting, compiling, maintaining and/or tracking statistical records and information for the completion of required reports and in support of service operations, as required, within specified deadlines; submits data on patient contacts promptly and accurately to program office for monthly statistic. Completing all statistical and administrative reports according to Recreation Therapy Service and Medical Center Policies. Reviewing, providing, inputting and making recommendations on supply and equipment acquisition and personnel needs in recreation therapy. Teaching/Training: May participate in research, education, evaluations and studies. Maintaining personal professional competence through participation in appropriate educational activities. Assisting in teaching and providing learning experiences for Music Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy, and Recreation Therapy students. Work Schedule: Typical tour of duty is Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:45pm but may be adjusted due to needs of the facility. Telework: Ad-hoc available. Functional Statement #: GS-7: 54689F, GS-9: 54690F, GS-11 54691F. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Requirements: Conditions 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. 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. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications: 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: The following education requirements apply to the recreation therapist. 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: Required Certification - Recreation Therapist. Applicants must be certified in recreation therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. 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. Failure to Obtain Registration/Certification. In all cases, recreation and creative arts therapists must actively pursue meeting registration and/or certification requirements, starting from the date of appointment. At the time of appointment, the supervisor will provide the unregistered and/or uncertified recreation or creative arts therapist with the written requirement to obtain registration/certification, the date by which the registration and/or certification must be acquired, and the consequences for not becoming registered and/or certified by the deadline. Failure to become registered and/or certified 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. Loss of Credential. A recreation or creative arts therapist who fails to maintain the required registration and/or certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision: 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). Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English, as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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.