Recreation Therapist

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting a Recreation Therapist to serve within the Mental Health Service. This role is part of a vital healthcare discipline focused on delivering evidence-based therapeutic recreation services. The purpose of recreation therapy is to restore, remediate, and rehabilitate functional capabilities for Veterans who are living with injuries, chronic illnesses, or disabling conditions.

Major duties:The duties of the position may include but, are not limited to: Assessment: Performs routine assessments used to collect systematic, comprehensive, and accurate data necessary to determine a course of action and to develop individualized treatment plans. Treatment: Establishes treatment planning that is based upon assessment in order to treat and manage discrete health care cases. Individualized treatment planning with measurable functional outcome goals described in behavioral terms (e.g., type of interventions, frequency, duration and intensity of treatments). Specific treatment interventions as appropriate. Implementation: Conducts individual and/or group session(s), protocols, and/or programs; observing responses to intervention/ program; and documenting important data. Implementation: Implementation encompasses explaining the purpose and outcomes of the intervention/program and steps to be followed; conducting individual and/or group session(s), protocols, and/or programs; observing responses to intervention/ program; and documenting important data. Evaluation of Services Delivered: Evaluation of services delivered involves collection and review of systematic, comprehensive, and accurate data necessary to determine changes in functioning, effectiveness of a plan and/or program, and need for additional, alternative, or discharge of services. Such data includes, but is not limited to participation, behavioral observations, progress/regress, functioning level, intervention outcomes, accidents and incidents relating to risk, and measures of program effectiveness. Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, 800am - 4:30pm Telework: May be available based on supervisor approval Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 94189-0, 94190-0, 94191-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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.

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/.