Recreation Therapist

<p>This Recreation Therapist position is in the Sensory & Physical Rehabilitation Service at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare Systems, located at the Leeds, MA location. This position is full-time at 40 hours per week.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The Recreation Therapist for Central Western Massachusetts VAMC is aligned under the Sensory & Physical Rehabilitation Service (SPRS) team, whose purpose is to provide care and rehabilitation to those Veterans with a variety of disabilities such as amputation, paralysis, neurological disorders, orthopedic conditions, behavioral health, psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, respiratory disorders, chronic cardiovascular diseases, substance abuse, homelessness, and Veterans with multiple diagnoses. Duties include but are not limited to: Conduct, analyze, interpret, and report assessment data based upon functional domains (cognitive, sensory, social, affective, physical, and leisure). Incorporates the four-step process of: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of services delivered, the RT constructs appropriate and evidence-based recreation therapy interventions for treating patients with complex medical and or mental health issues such as Polytrauma (TBI); Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Substance Use Disorder/Addictions; Serious Mental Illness; and Hospice/Palliative Care. Provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision. Review recreation therapy consults and conduct comprehensive evaluations. Based upon the assessment data and in collaboration with other stakeholders, the RT develops individualized treatment plans with measurable therapeutic goals and objectives including scope, duration and treatment. Recommends adaptation, modification, and/or assistive technology to meet the assessed needs and preferences in recreation therapy. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday. Shift hours will be discussed with Supervisor. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F08429, F08463, F08462. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases when setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) NOTIFICATIONS: This position is in the Excepted Service. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's.</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. 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 dentification 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).<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/.