Recreation Therapist

<p>Serves as Recreation Therapist Program Coordinator for the VA San Diego SCI/D Service, providing advanced rehabilitation care to inpatient and outpatient Veterans and Active Duty members with spinal cord injuries and multiple complex conditions. Oversees recreation therapy services, conducts assessments, develops treatment approaches, coordinates interdisciplinary care, manages workflows, mentors staff, supports outreach efforts, and serves as a regional clinical resource across the VA.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Duties include, but are not limited to: Conducts comprehensive recreation therapy assessments across cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure functioning domains for Veterans and Active Duty members with SCI/D and complex medical conditions. Develops individualized, evidence-based treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members. Provides advanced therapeutic interventions utilizing activity analysis, behavioral interventions, adaptive techniques, and therapeutic procedures to support functional recovery, coping skills, and community reintegration. Designs and implements treatment strategies focused on stress reduction, pain management, motor learning, social skills development, self-esteem enhancement, adjustment to disability, and grief/loss support. Utilizes assistive and adaptive technology, aquatic therapy, fitness and wellness programming, adapted sports, and community reintegration planning to meet individualized patient needs. Orders, evaluates, and recommends adaptive sports and rehabilitation equipment, modifications, and assistive devices based on interdisciplinary recommendations and patient-centered goals. Reviews recreation therapy consults, performs comprehensive evaluations, and monitors patient progress to determine continuation, modification, alternative interventions, or discharge from services. Maintains accurate and timely documentation including assessments, progress notes, care plans, consults, and therapeutic encounter documentation within the electronic medical record system. Participates in quality improvement initiatives and utilizes automated data systems and quantitative analysis to evaluate treatment outcomes, protocol effectiveness, and patient safety trends. Serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in SCI/D recreation therapy by providing clinical guidance, mentorship, and education to staff, students, and interdisciplinary team members. Coordinates recreation therapy services across SCI/D hub and spoke networks, outpatient clinics, and community-based programs to ensure continuity of care and successful patient transitions. Facilitates Veteran participation in adaptive sports programs, national rehabilitation events, and community reintegration activities. Collaborates with community organizations, the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE), and interdisciplinary healthcare teams to coordinate patient care and therapeutic programming. Performs administrative and program coordination responsibilities including Joint Commission preparation, strategic planning, performance improvement activities, staff training, and interdisciplinary program support. Serves as a designated purchase cardholder in compliance with Federal and VA Acquisition Regulations, including procurement documentation, reconciliation of charges, IFCAP order entry, and records maintenance. Exercises independent professional judgment and advanced clinical reasoning in managing complex rehabilitation cases involving SCI/D, TBI, polytrauma, amputation, PTSD, neurological disorders, and chronic medical conditions. Participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning conferences, care coordination meetings, and collaborative patient care activities to support comprehensive rehabilitation outcomes. Ensures compliance with infection control, environmental safety, OSHA, emergency preparedness, and VA privacy and computer security requirements. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm (Subject to change based upon the needs of the agency.) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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.<h3>Education</h3>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/.