Recreation Therapist

The Recreation Therapist will assess, develop and implement treatment plans for individual patients in an acute care medical setting directed toward physical, psycho-social, and cognitive rehabilitation. Recreation Therapists will work with patients with complex medical conditions seen at the Clinical Research Center.

As a GS-0638-11 Recreation Therapist your duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Performing comprehensive assessment of each patient to include the patient's strengths and limitations; conducting analysis of assessment data and performing clinical assessments;
• Providing individual and group treatment;
• Planning and carrying out a full range of treatment where therapeutic objectives are complex and the procedures involved require the application of highly specialized skills and knowledge;
• Devising or adapting equipment to carry out treatment with severely disabled patients;
• Employing different motivational techniques to obtain the participation of the patient in his/her rehabilitation;
• Creating and implementing a treatment plan based on physician referral information, assessment and information from the medical record.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT:

For this position, you must demonstrate that you have either:

A. A bachelor's or higher degree in therapeutic recreation, art therapy, drama therapy, dance therapy, or music therapy.
OR

B. A bachelor's or higher degree in a related field involving therapeutic emphasis or concentration that included at least 36 hours in therapeutic courses as follows: 18 semester hours of therapeutic recreation courses; and 18 semester hours that included a combination of abnormal psychology, human anatomy and development, disabilities, and general recreation.
AND

Additional Qualifications Requirements:

A. You must demonstrate 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) performing individual recreation therapy clinical assessments of a patient's functional abilities related to cognitive, physical, social, emotional, educational, and behavioral domains; 2) planning and providing recreation therapy to patients in accordance with the Assess, Plan, Implement, Evaluate, and Document (APIED) process; 3) evaluating patients progress with recreation therapy; 4) collaborating with other therapists to identify alternative treatment options; 5)providing counseling to and education for patients and their families; and 6) providing individual and group treatment.
OR

B. Completed 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field.
OR

C. A combination of post-graduate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

Selective Factor: In order to meet minimum qualification requirements you must demonstrate possession of the selective factor of this position. Selective factor include;

• You must be credentialed as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.

Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13092681

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date. | Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment. | Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade. | Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service. | The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers. | The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus. | Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. | Based on your appointment, a one or two-year trial/probationary period may be required. A decision regarding your continued employment with NIH will be made as you near the end of this period. | Position requires Education. Please include a copy of your transcripts. | Position is designated as an "emergency essential" position. See definition of this designation in the Additional Information Section of this announcement. | If selected, you must pass a pre-employment medical examination, provide evidence of immunization, and be free from communicable diseases. | Must be credentialed as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). | Physical Requirements include walking, occasional running, bending, stretching, crawling, lifting, pushing, carrying and reaching. | You must be able to lift and move heavy items weighing 45 lbs. with or without a reasonable accommodation. | The work involves moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions, e.g., working around moving parts, carts, or machines; exposure to contagious diseases or irritant chemicals. | This position has on-call or call-back requirements.