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.
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
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/.
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $87061 – $113185/yr.
This position requires a Other security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-10-09.
There are 2 openings for this position.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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