Supervisory Recreation Therapist

Summary

The Recreation Therapy Supervisor is a working supervisor with both administrative and clinical responsibilities. This position is responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the Recreation Therapy services delivered to the patients under his/her supervision and care. This position is located in the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Line at the MEDVAMC, a complexity level 1a facility.

Duties

The Recreation Therapist develops, organizes, and administers Recreation Therapy programs to provide treatment that meets the physical, mental, social, and chronological maturations and/or emotional needs of adult and geriatric patients in various areas, e.g., Transitional Care Center, spinal cord injury, rehabilitation, general medicine and surgery, and assorted mental health programs. This position manages the delivery of Recreation Therapy services to Veterans with a wide variety of multiple and complex diagnoses. Appropriately plans work operations for recreation therapy programs, including VA National Veteran Sports Programs and Special Events, sets priorities, delegates tasks, solves problems related to work performed in the program, and is accountable for the quality, performance, timeliness, and productivity of the Recreation Therapy services provided. The supervisory Recreation Therapist provides clinical guidance to staff recreation therapists, Creative Arts Therapists, yoga specialist and recreation therapy assistants in the delivery of recreation therapy services. This involves careful planning, coordination, and continuous assessment to guarantee the well-being and progress of the veteran involved in the Recreation Therapy Program. Works effectively as part of the therapy team to provide effective and efficient recreation therapy services to the assigned patient group. Also, effectively initiates assisting the larger team of co-workers in providing timely recreation therapy services as indicated. Determines applicable competencies and assesses the competency of assigned staff within established guidelines. Provides guidance to staff regarding improvement of knowledge and skills needed to improve competencies. Analyze clinically appropriate data to effectively optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the program. Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, and evaluates program to ensure methods, deadlines, quality and quantity standards are met. Demonstrates knowledge and skill in effective management and administration in areas of supervision, consultation, negotiation, and monitoring of program elements and subordinates. Independently assembles pre-evaluation data, interprets medical record information, reviews therapy prescriptions and conducts cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure evaluations of the patient in order to develop and implement a comprehensive treatment plan. Develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration, and treatment. Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet a patient's assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Utilizes behavioral interventions and therapeutic procedures designed to reduce stress, anxiety, and maladaptive behaviors, recover basic motor functioning, reasoning abilities, build confidence, and develop compensatory strategies to master critical life skills necessary to re-enter the community in a productive manner. Determines applicable competencies and assesses the competency of assigned staff within established guidelines. Provides guidance to staff regarding improvement of knowledge and skills needed to improve competencies. Prepares and gives performance appraisals within the facility's guidelines and incorporates effective and appropriate guidance to subordinates to improve their performance. Independently interprets provider referrals and consults and applies health and safety regulations to minimize and mitigate risks in the provision of patient care and the environment of care. Participates in team conferences, rounds, discharge planning meetings, specialty clinics, other assigned medical and administrative meetings. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, occasional weekend/holiday as needed. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-01366-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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. 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. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications and evaluation

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent VA employees of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center All other VA employees Current Permanent Federal employees of other agencies All other applicants If Veterans Preference applies add: Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred based on the Veterans' Preference IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/08/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13043299. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Professional Certification Resume Transcript Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week. Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee In addition to your most recent SF-50, other examples of SF-50's to include in your application packet include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License CV/Resume Other (2) Professional Certification Resume SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.