Recreation Therapist

Summary

The position is at the full performance level located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), at the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center (TRMC) in the Geriatric Extended Care Healthcare Group. The primary purpose of this position is to develop, organize, and administer therapeutic recreational programs to provide therapeutic intervention and Specialized work performed on behalf of the geriatric population.

Duties

Incumbent is responsible for managing the Recreation Therapy and Volunteer programs for patients with vision-related disabilities and other comorbidities who are admitted in the Community Living Center (CLC). Incumbent reports to Recreational Therapist supervisor/ Chief of Geriatric Extended Care (GEC). The Recreation Therapist plans and carries out a full range of treatment modalities where therapeutic objectives are complex, and the procedures require the application of highly specialized skills and knowledge. Incumbent works with patients who have vision loss and may have additional disabilities or physical conditions and varying levels of cognitive impairment. Incumbent manages the unit's Volunteer program, scheduling and tracking all Volunteers, making assignments, developing and checking · competencies and coordinating their activities throughout the Community Living Center (CLC). Incumbent requires integration of the Recreation Therapy service with all GEC departments. The Recreation Therapist may be required to travel to special national events, or training seminars. Flexible scheduling is required as activities may take place early evenings and weekends. Serves as the Recreation Therapist for the Community Living Center. Performs and documents complex assessments and treatment plans while interacting as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team. Designs and implements treatment activities and recreation programs in clinical and community settings to meet the assessed needs of Veterans admitted in CLC. Utilizes appropriate motivational and leadership approaches. Develops and evaluates treatment programs in consideration of the age and desires of Veterans. The Recreation Therapist demonstrates competence, knowledge, and skills necessary to provide services appropriate to the individual circumstances of the Veteran. The Recreation Therapist must also be able to assess data reflective of the Veteran's life circumstances and medical history in order to develop appropriate patient-based treatment plans and activities as well as individualized post-discharge leisure and recreation plans. Programs include but are not limited to leisure education and skills, sensory stimulation, community reintegration, life skills, social skills training, re-motivation, values clarification, stress management, and integrated use of adaptive equipment, sensory modalities and coping techniques. This is realized through comprehensive Evaluation and Assessment, program planning and provision, integration with all CLC-GEC departments, and community-based follow-up. Provides clinical supervision to professional level Recreation Therapy Interns, Work-study students, and Recreation Aides. Coordinates the activities of Volunteers. This responsibility includes recruitment, selection, and training. Provides the Chief of GEC and the healthcare group's Recreation Therapy supervisor with administrative information including but not limited to workload and caseload statistics, quality improvement and program planning information, program evaluation data, staffing needs etc. Collaborates, maintains liaison, and provides in-service training with the CLC interdisciplinary team as well as other medical center services and staff to ensure a cooperative and well-planned approach to patient care. The Recreation Therapist coordinates with community agencies and individuals to arrange for patient community reintegration and discharge planning. The incumbent also serves as a resource to patients and families in the area of Recreation Therapy. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

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. 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. 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

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 10/09/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13076623. 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: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Current state Recreation Therapist license Current Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential Professional Certification Transcript 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. DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Current state Recreation Therapist license Current BLS/CPR certification Current Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential Professional Certification 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

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.