Recreation Therapist

This Recreation Therapist position is in Sensory and Physical Rehabilitation Services (SPRS) at the VA Maine Healthcare Systems, located at the Augusta, ME location.

The Recreation Therapist (RT) provides evaluation and treatment that promotes the prevention, remediation, and rehabilitation of acute and chronic physical and psychosocial dysfunction. The RT administers and monitors therapeutic interventions based on goals developed in the evaluation of the patient. The duties and responsibilities of this position are carried out within the medical center and the community including various clinical, administrative, and patient care areas associated with SPRS. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Administers, scores, or interprets a variety of creative and motor skills tests. Evaluates the assigned veteran's mental, emotional, social, and physical capabilities to determine their needs in recreation therapy. Administers mental and physical tests for those with severe or multiple diagnoses. Maintains professional competencies in testing procedures and practices and introduces new methods as appropriate. Guides recreation therapy assistants in observational skills as they informally assess and reassess Veteran's in their care. Uses effective interviewing techniques to obtain objective and information pertaining to the Veteran's individual interests and aptitudes. Observes the Veteran during trial assignments to confirm initial assessment. Coordinates the overall treatment plan with the treatment team and Veteran's family/caregiver to provide a program that focuses on treatment goals. Serves as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team recommending treatment objectives. Plans various activities directed towards achieving such therapeutic objectives. Provides the equipment, materials, instruction, encouragement, or counseling necessary to promote a positive and therapeutic activity. Coordinates a wide range of activities with other services in the development of appropriate treatment programs. Documents the treatment rendered and the Veteran's progress and response to treatment in the medical record. Work Schedule: Full-Time; Monday - Friday: 8:00am-4:30pm with occasional weekend/holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PDF03110, PDF04466, and PDF04465 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not Required Notifications: This position is in the excepted service. This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position. 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. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) will be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA Maine campuses and CBOC's. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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. May be subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process. 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.