Recreation Therapist (Program
- VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
- Aurora, Colorado
- Full Time
Recreion Therapist (Program
Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administrion
Veterans Health Administrion
Summary
The Recreion Therapist is assigned to the Spinal Cord Injury & Disorder (SCI/D) Service the Eastern Colorado Health Care System - Rocky Mountain Regional (RMR) VA Medical Center. Pient care is conducted not only RMR, but also outlying Clinic Based Outpient Clinics (CBOC) and in the community.
Summary
The Recreion Therapist is assigned to the Spinal Cord Injury & Disorder (SCI/D) Service the Eastern Colorado Health Care System - Rocky Mountain Regional (RMR) VA Medical Center. Pient care is conducted not only RMR, but also outlying Clinic Based Outpient Clinics (CBOC) and in the community.
Overview
Help
Accepting applicions
Open & closing des
07/22/2025 to 08/04/2025
Salary
$98,811 to - $128,460 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Locion
1 vacancy in the following locion:
Aurora, CO
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocion expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
0638 Recreion/Creive Arts Therapist
Supervisory stus
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determinion process
Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness
Announcement number
CBSU-12767894-25-RR
Control number
841270400
This job is open to
Help
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nionals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarificion from the agency
Announcement is open to the public. All VA and Federal employees should apply to CBSU-12767893-25-RR
Videos
Duties
Help
VA Careers Recreional Therapy
The duties for the Recreional Therapist-Program Coordinor include but are not limited to:
Evalues and establishes goals based on evaluion findings and independently develops best practice and evidence-based trement interventions across multiple areas of practice.
Implements and modifies as necessary trement plan and goals as needed throughout course of trement to ensure optimal outcomes. The Recreion Therapist is expected to perform documention of pient care, including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultions, and care plans. The Recreion Therapist manages consults in a timely manner and ensures approprie note completion, as well as other reports as assigned.
The Recreion Therapist independently interprets provider referrals and consults, receives consults, provides scheduling guidance for Health Administrion Service (HAS) Medical Support Administrors (MSAs), and applies all health and safety regulions to minimize and mitige risks in the provision of pient care and the environment of care.
Uses Recreion Therapy expertise for direct service delivery to pients and serves as a subject mter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals.
Serves as SCI/D Recreion Therapy representive on interdisciplinary teams as assigned or needed, as well as for the SCI/D Spoke site locions th report through RMR SCI/D Center.
In consultion with pients, their families/caregivers, and other SCI/D staff, the Recreion Therapist shall educe on trement interventions and goals in addition to any considerion involving adaptions to better ensure optimal trement outcomes.
Uses Recreion Therapy competency in treing pients th range in age from young adult to geriric, who may experience complex medical or mental health issues.
The Recreion Therapist inities ordering of specific, approprie leisure/recreion resources used for accomplishing the agreed upon pient trement goals. Some of these resources include Rehabilition Sports Equipment (RSE), which includes an interdisciplinary team of SCI/D &/or Physical Medicine & Rehabilition Service (PMRS) staff for review of medical approprieness prior to ordering.
Recommends adaption, modificion, and/or assistive technology to meet a pient's assessed needs and preferences in recreion therapy. Implements therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to: assistive technology, cognitive behavioral skills; aquic therapy, fitness and wellness, community accessibility/reintegrion/transition; and adapted sports and leisure development. They participe in co-trement opportunities, including but not limited to: neurological rehabilition, mental health recovery programs, and palliive care reled to the symptoms of a terminal illness.
Discharge analysis and planning is conducted for community needs.
Attends and participes in required staff meetings.
Presents in-services as needed or directed.
Carries out other job-reled activities, special assignments, and duty locions as assigned by supervisor.
The Recreion Therapist maintains approprie professional boundaries.
Participes in Nional Recreion Therapy events, such as the Nional Veterans Wheelchair Games, Summer Sports Clinic, Winter Sports Clinic, and Nional Creive Arts Festival.
Administrion:
Adheres with Medical Center policies. Utilizes Automed Da Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy.
Participes in the evaluion of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery.
Fosters and maintains a safe trement area.
Promotes effective communicion with all pients, caregivers, trement team members, Medical Center staff and community partners.
Preferred Experience: 5 or more years serving pients with Spinal Cord Injury or MS within both Inpient and Outpient settings. 5 or more years prescribing, fitting, and modifying Adaptive Sports equipment, e.g. handcycles, specialty sport wheelchairs, and downhill skiing systems. 5 or more years planning, managing, and assessing interdisciplinary program events. Holds a CDL driver certifice. Holds an Adaptive Recreion Therapy certificion, such as CARSS-I, CARSS-II, &/or AIT.
Work Schedule : Tuesday - Surday, 8:00 am - 4:30pm
Telework : Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocion/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Stion (PCS): Not Authorized
Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
All applicants tentively selected for VA employment in a testing designed position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested denied employment with VA.
Selective Service Registrion is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
You may be required to serve a probionary period.
Subject to background/security investigion.
Selected applicants required to complete an online onboarding process.
Must pass pre-employment physical examinion.
Participion in the seasonal influenza vaccinion program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Qualificions
Basic Requirements :
United Stes Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Educion: The following educion requirements apply to the recreion therapist:
(a) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in therapeutic recreion or recreion/leisure, with an option and/or emphasis in therapeutic recreion. The degree must be approved by the Nional Council for Therapeutic Recreion Certificion (NCTRC); -OR-
(b) A bachelor's degree or higher in any field from an accredited college or university and must be a certified therapeutic recreion specialist (CTRS). The degree must be approved by the NCTRC. If hired under this educion, the certificion cannot be waived.
Certificion: Recreion Therapist- Applicants must be certified in recreion therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(1)(b), certificion cannot be waived.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfhering Provision as described in the VA Qualificion Standard for this occupion (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupion and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinions for Recreion Therapist (Program Coordinor), GS-12 :
(a) Experience: At least one year of creditable experience the next lower grade level (GS-11).
(b) Demonstred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candide must demonstre all of the following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of management/administrion principles, procedures, and practice, which includes supervision, consultion, negotiion, mediion, and monitoring.
ii. Ability to analyze clinically approprie da and make recommendions to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within services.
iii. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties when authorized, which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; competency assessments; performance evaluions; selection of staff; recommendion of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions when approprie.
iv. Ability to monitor and report on the stus and progress of work, evalue program quality to ensure th methods, deadlines, and standards have been met, and prioritize the workload.
v. Ability to effectively communice goals, objectives, and focused initiives to an interdisciplinary team, specialized clinical program, or subsection, as well as guide the team members on work methods, practices, standards, and procedures.
vi. Knowledge of regulory requirements, interdisciplinary structure, and organizional structure to serve as a liaison between specialty care and other programs th would affect coordinion of care, healthcare access, program evaluion, assessment, and planning future needs.
vii. Skill in employing recognized leadership and managerial methods and stregies, including interpersonal relions and conflict resolution in the management of employees, team leaders, and managers.
References: VA Handbook 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G60, ded June 7, 2019
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged walking or standing, bending, twisting and moderely heavy lifting or moving of equipment, positioning severely disabled pients and assisting pients in ambulion and with wheelchair mobility. The work requires specific, common physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity, as well as skill and ability in recreion and leisure activities, maneuvering wheelchairs and driving wheelchair accessible vehicles. The work is primarily very active in nure with some sedentary work involved when performing administrive tasks.
Educion
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your applicion if you are basing all or part of your qualificions on educion.
Note: Only educion or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your educion here: . If you are using foreign educion to meet qualificion requirements, you must send a Certifice of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for th educion. For further informion, : .
Additional informion
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacion) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave a re (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the re which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment de and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive stus.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-reled positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for informion regarding an Alterne Applicion .
Expand Hide additional informion
Candides should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passione about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United Stes Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits th are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more informion on the specific benefits offered.
How you evalued
You evalued for this job based on how well you meet the qualificions above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your applicion, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documention verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect considerion for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through Nional Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizions (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience th transles directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify informion provided by a candide (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candide's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those th have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members : Please the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegrion support for military service members.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits th are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more informion on the specific benefits offered.
Required documents
Required Documents
Help
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Applicion Package which includes:
Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualificions for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your applicion, such as a copy of your transcript (if using educion to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
Cover Letter
DD-214/ Stement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
License
Other (1)
PCS Orders
Performance Appraisal
Professional Certificion
Resume
Separion Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notificion of Personnel Action
Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows des and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documention reled to your active duty service which reflects the des of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and des of impending separion. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Applicion for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as sted on the form. Documention is required to award preference. For more informion on Veterans' Preference, please Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference .
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
If you are relying on your educion to meet qualificion requirements:
Educion must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion in order for it to be credited towards qualificions. Therefore, provide only the tendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion .
Failure to provide all of the required informion as sted in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible ring or may affect the overall ring.
How to Apply
Help
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documention specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete applicion package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/04/2025 to receive considerion. To preview the questionnaire click .
To begin, click Apply Online to cree a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupional questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your applicion package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and approprie documention is submitted prior to the closing de.
Agency contact informion
VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Phone
...
...
Address
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
1700 N Wheeling St
Aurora, CO 80045
US
Next steps
Once your online applicion is submitted you will receive a confirmion notificion by email. After we receive applicion packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applicions to ensure qualificion and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certifice(s) is issued and applicants notified of their stus by email. Referred applicants notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notificion once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the stus of your applicion any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applicions. Informion regarding your applicion stus can be found in the USAJobs Help Center .
NOTE: Participion in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement th all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccinion or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccinion has been granted. HCP in violion of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locions or who come into contact with VA pients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locions include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associed clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrive, remote and onsite, paid and without compension, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with pients outside VA medical facilities.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability
New employee probionary period
Privacy Act
Reasonable accommodion policy
Selective Service
Signure and false stements
Social security number request
Required Documents
Help
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Applicion Package which includes:
Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualificions for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your applicion, such as a copy of your transcript (if using educion to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
Cover Letter
DD-214/ Stement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
License
Other (1)
PCS Orders
Performance Appraisal
Professional Certificion
Resume
Separion Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notificion of Personnel Action
Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows des and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documention reled to your active duty service which reflects the des of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and des of impending separion. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Applicion for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as sted on the form. Documention is required to award preference. For more informion on Veterans' Preference, please Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference .
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
If you are relying on your educion to meet qualificion requirements:
Educion must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion in order for it to be credited towards qualificions. Therefore, provide only the tendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion .
Failure to provide all of the required informion as sted in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible ring or may affect the overall ring.
How to Apply
Help
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documention specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete applicion package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/04/2025 to receive considerion. To preview the questionnaire click .
To begin, click Apply Online to cree a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupional questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your applicion package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and approprie documention is submitted prior to the closing de.
Expand Hide how to apply
Agency contact informion
VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Phone
...
...
Address
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
1700 N Wheeling St
Aurora, CO 80045
US
Next steps
Once your online applicion is submitted you will receive a confirmion notificion by email. After we receive applicion packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applicions to ensure qualificion and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certifice(s) is issued and applicants notified of their stus by email. Referred applicants notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notificion once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the stus of your applicion any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applicions. Informion regarding your applicion stus can be found in the USAJobs Help Center .
NOTE: Participion in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement th all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccinion or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccinion has been granted. HCP in violion of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locions or who come into contact with VA pients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locions include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associed clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrive, remote and onsite, paid and without compension, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with pients outside VA medical facilities.
Expand Hide next steps
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability
New employee probionary period
Privacy Act
Reasonable accommodion policy
Selective Service
Signure and false stements
Social security number request
Overview Help Accepting applicions Open & closing des 07/22/2025 to 08/04/2025 Salary $98,811 to - $128,460 per year Pay scale & grade GS 12 Locion 1 vacancy in the following locion: Aurora, CO 1 vacancy Remote job No Telework eligible No Travel Required 25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position. Relocion expenses reimbursed No Appointment type Permanent Work schedule Full-time Service Excepted Promotion potential 12 Job family (Series) Supervisory stus No Security clearance Drug test No Position sensitivity and risk Trust determinion process Announcement number CBSU-12767894-25-RR Control number 841270400
Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administrion
Veterans Health Administrion
Summary
The Recreion Therapist is assigned to the Spinal Cord Injury & Disorder (SCI/D) Service the Eastern Colorado Health Care System - Rocky Mountain Regional (RMR) VA Medical Center. Pient care is conducted not only RMR, but also outlying Clinic Based Outpient Clinics (CBOC) and in the community.
Summary
The Recreion Therapist is assigned to the Spinal Cord Injury & Disorder (SCI/D) Service the Eastern Colorado Health Care System - Rocky Mountain Regional (RMR) VA Medical Center. Pient care is conducted not only RMR, but also outlying Clinic Based Outpient Clinics (CBOC) and in the community.
Overview
Help
Accepting applicions
Open & closing des
07/22/2025 to 08/04/2025
Salary
$98,811 to - $128,460 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Locion
1 vacancy in the following locion:
Aurora, CO
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocion expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
0638 Recreion/Creive Arts Therapist
Supervisory stus
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determinion process
Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness
Announcement number
CBSU-12767894-25-RR
Control number
841270400
This job is open to
Help
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nionals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarificion from the agency
Announcement is open to the public. All VA and Federal employees should apply to CBSU-12767893-25-RR
Videos
Duties
Help
VA Careers Recreional Therapy
The duties for the Recreional Therapist-Program Coordinor include but are not limited to:
Evalues and establishes goals based on evaluion findings and independently develops best practice and evidence-based trement interventions across multiple areas of practice.
Implements and modifies as necessary trement plan and goals as needed throughout course of trement to ensure optimal outcomes. The Recreion Therapist is expected to perform documention of pient care, including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultions, and care plans. The Recreion Therapist manages consults in a timely manner and ensures approprie note completion, as well as other reports as assigned.
The Recreion Therapist independently interprets provider referrals and consults, receives consults, provides scheduling guidance for Health Administrion Service (HAS) Medical Support Administrors (MSAs), and applies all health and safety regulions to minimize and mitige risks in the provision of pient care and the environment of care.
Uses Recreion Therapy expertise for direct service delivery to pients and serves as a subject mter expert to staff, students, and other healthcare professionals.
Serves as SCI/D Recreion Therapy representive on interdisciplinary teams as assigned or needed, as well as for the SCI/D Spoke site locions th report through RMR SCI/D Center.
In consultion with pients, their families/caregivers, and other SCI/D staff, the Recreion Therapist shall educe on trement interventions and goals in addition to any considerion involving adaptions to better ensure optimal trement outcomes.
Uses Recreion Therapy competency in treing pients th range in age from young adult to geriric, who may experience complex medical or mental health issues.
The Recreion Therapist inities ordering of specific, approprie leisure/recreion resources used for accomplishing the agreed upon pient trement goals. Some of these resources include Rehabilition Sports Equipment (RSE), which includes an interdisciplinary team of SCI/D &/or Physical Medicine & Rehabilition Service (PMRS) staff for review of medical approprieness prior to ordering.
Recommends adaption, modificion, and/or assistive technology to meet a pient's assessed needs and preferences in recreion therapy. Implements therapeutic interventions including, but not limited to: assistive technology, cognitive behavioral skills; aquic therapy, fitness and wellness, community accessibility/reintegrion/transition; and adapted sports and leisure development. They participe in co-trement opportunities, including but not limited to: neurological rehabilition, mental health recovery programs, and palliive care reled to the symptoms of a terminal illness.
Discharge analysis and planning is conducted for community needs.
Attends and participes in required staff meetings.
Presents in-services as needed or directed.
Carries out other job-reled activities, special assignments, and duty locions as assigned by supervisor.
The Recreion Therapist maintains approprie professional boundaries.
Participes in Nional Recreion Therapy events, such as the Nional Veterans Wheelchair Games, Summer Sports Clinic, Winter Sports Clinic, and Nional Creive Arts Festival.
Administrion:
Adheres with Medical Center policies. Utilizes Automed Da Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy.
Participes in the evaluion of equipment and supplies, which affect their service delivery.
Fosters and maintains a safe trement area.
Promotes effective communicion with all pients, caregivers, trement team members, Medical Center staff and community partners.
Preferred Experience: 5 or more years serving pients with Spinal Cord Injury or MS within both Inpient and Outpient settings. 5 or more years prescribing, fitting, and modifying Adaptive Sports equipment, e.g. handcycles, specialty sport wheelchairs, and downhill skiing systems. 5 or more years planning, managing, and assessing interdisciplinary program events. Holds a CDL driver certifice. Holds an Adaptive Recreion Therapy certificion, such as CARSS-I, CARSS-II, &/or AIT.
Work Schedule : Tuesday - Surday, 8:00 am - 4:30pm
Telework : Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocion/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Stion (PCS): Not Authorized
Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
All applicants tentively selected for VA employment in a testing designed position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested denied employment with VA.
Selective Service Registrion is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
You may be required to serve a probionary period.
Subject to background/security investigion.
Selected applicants required to complete an online onboarding process.
Must pass pre-employment physical examinion.
Participion in the seasonal influenza vaccinion program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Qualificions
Basic Requirements :
United Stes Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Educion: The following educion requirements apply to the recreion therapist:
(a) A bachelor's degree or higher, from an accredited college or university, with a major in therapeutic recreion or recreion/leisure, with an option and/or emphasis in therapeutic recreion. The degree must be approved by the Nional Council for Therapeutic Recreion Certificion (NCTRC); -OR-
(b) A bachelor's degree or higher in any field from an accredited college or university and must be a certified therapeutic recreion specialist (CTRS). The degree must be approved by the NCTRC. If hired under this educion, the certificion cannot be waived.
Certificion: Recreion Therapist- Applicants must be certified in recreion therapy as a CTRS by the NCTRC. If hired under paragraph 3b(1)(b), certificion cannot be waived.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfhering Provision as described in the VA Qualificion Standard for this occupion (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupion and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinions for Recreion Therapist (Program Coordinor), GS-12 :
(a) Experience: At least one year of creditable experience the next lower grade level (GS-11).
(b) Demonstred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candide must demonstre all of the following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of management/administrion principles, procedures, and practice, which includes supervision, consultion, negotiion, mediion, and monitoring.
ii. Ability to analyze clinically approprie da and make recommendions to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within services.
iii. Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties when authorized, which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; competency assessments; performance evaluions; selection of staff; recommendion of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions when approprie.
iv. Ability to monitor and report on the stus and progress of work, evalue program quality to ensure th methods, deadlines, and standards have been met, and prioritize the workload.
v. Ability to effectively communice goals, objectives, and focused initiives to an interdisciplinary team, specialized clinical program, or subsection, as well as guide the team members on work methods, practices, standards, and procedures.
vi. Knowledge of regulory requirements, interdisciplinary structure, and organizional structure to serve as a liaison between specialty care and other programs th would affect coordinion of care, healthcare access, program evaluion, assessment, and planning future needs.
vii. Skill in employing recognized leadership and managerial methods and stregies, including interpersonal relions and conflict resolution in the management of employees, team leaders, and managers.
References: VA Handbook 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G60, ded June 7, 2019
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged walking or standing, bending, twisting and moderely heavy lifting or moving of equipment, positioning severely disabled pients and assisting pients in ambulion and with wheelchair mobility. The work requires specific, common physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity, as well as skill and ability in recreion and leisure activities, maneuvering wheelchairs and driving wheelchair accessible vehicles. The work is primarily very active in nure with some sedentary work involved when performing administrive tasks.
Educion
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your applicion if you are basing all or part of your qualificions on educion.
Note: Only educion or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your educion here: . If you are using foreign educion to meet qualificion requirements, you must send a Certifice of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for th educion. For further informion, : .
Additional informion
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacion) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave a re (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the re which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment de and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive stus.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-reled positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for informion regarding an Alterne Applicion .
Expand Hide additional informion
Candides should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passione about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United Stes Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits th are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more informion on the specific benefits offered.
How you evalued
You evalued for this job based on how well you meet the qualificions above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your applicion, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documention verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect considerion for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through Nional Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizions (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience th transles directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify informion provided by a candide (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candide's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those th have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members : Please the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegrion support for military service members.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits th are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits .
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more informion on the specific benefits offered.
Required documents
Required Documents
Help
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Applicion Package which includes:
Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualificions for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your applicion, such as a copy of your transcript (if using educion to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
Cover Letter
DD-214/ Stement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
License
Other (1)
PCS Orders
Performance Appraisal
Professional Certificion
Resume
Separion Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notificion of Personnel Action
Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows des and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documention reled to your active duty service which reflects the des of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and des of impending separion. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Applicion for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as sted on the form. Documention is required to award preference. For more informion on Veterans' Preference, please Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference .
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
If you are relying on your educion to meet qualificion requirements:
Educion must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion in order for it to be credited towards qualificions. Therefore, provide only the tendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion .
Failure to provide all of the required informion as sted in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible ring or may affect the overall ring.
How to Apply
Help
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documention specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete applicion package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/04/2025 to receive considerion. To preview the questionnaire click .
To begin, click Apply Online to cree a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupional questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your applicion package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and approprie documention is submitted prior to the closing de.
Agency contact informion
VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Phone
...
...
Address
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
1700 N Wheeling St
Aurora, CO 80045
US
Next steps
Once your online applicion is submitted you will receive a confirmion notificion by email. After we receive applicion packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applicions to ensure qualificion and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certifice(s) is issued and applicants notified of their stus by email. Referred applicants notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notificion once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the stus of your applicion any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applicions. Informion regarding your applicion stus can be found in the USAJobs Help Center .
NOTE: Participion in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement th all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccinion or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccinion has been granted. HCP in violion of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locions or who come into contact with VA pients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locions include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associed clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrive, remote and onsite, paid and without compension, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with pients outside VA medical facilities.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability
New employee probionary period
Privacy Act
Reasonable accommodion policy
Selective Service
Signure and false stements
Social security number request
Required Documents
Help
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Applicion Package which includes:
Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualificions for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your applicion, such as a copy of your transcript (if using educion to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
Cover Letter
DD-214/ Stement of Service
Disability Letter (Schedule A)
Disability Letter (VA)
License
Other (1)
PCS Orders
Performance Appraisal
Professional Certificion
Resume
Separion Notice (RIF)
SF-15
SF-50/ Notificion of Personnel Action
Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows des and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documention reled to your active duty service which reflects the des of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and des of impending separion. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Applicion for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as sted on the form. Documention is required to award preference. For more informion on Veterans' Preference, please Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference .
Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
If you are relying on your educion to meet qualificion requirements:
Educion must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion in order for it to be credited towards qualificions. Therefore, provide only the tendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Educion .
Failure to provide all of the required informion as sted in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible ring or may affect the overall ring.
How to Apply
Help
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documention specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete applicion package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/04/2025 to receive considerion. To preview the questionnaire click .
To begin, click Apply Online to cree a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupional questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your applicion package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and approprie documention is submitted prior to the closing de.
Expand Hide how to apply
Agency contact informion
VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Phone
...
...
Address
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
1700 N Wheeling St
Aurora, CO 80045
US
Next steps
Once your online applicion is submitted you will receive a confirmion notificion by email. After we receive applicion packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applicions to ensure qualificion and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certifice(s) is issued and applicants notified of their stus by email. Referred applicants notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notificion once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the stus of your applicion any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applicions. Informion regarding your applicion stus can be found in the USAJobs Help Center .
NOTE: Participion in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement th all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccinion or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccinion has been granted. HCP in violion of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locions or who come into contact with VA pients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locions include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associed clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrive, remote and onsite, paid and without compension, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with pients outside VA medical facilities.
Expand Hide next steps
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Criminal history inquiries
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Financial suitability
New employee probionary period
Privacy Act
Reasonable accommodion policy
Selective Service
Signure and false stements
Social security number request
Overview Help Accepting applicions Open & closing des 07/22/2025 to 08/04/2025 Salary $98,811 to - $128,460 per year Pay scale & grade GS 12 Locion 1 vacancy in the following locion: Aurora, CO 1 vacancy Remote job No Telework eligible No Travel Required 25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position. Relocion expenses reimbursed No Appointment type Permanent Work schedule Full-time Service Excepted Promotion potential 12 Job family (Series) Supervisory stus No Security clearance Drug test No Position sensitivity and risk Trust determinion process Announcement number CBSU-12767894-25-RR Control number 841270400
Job ID: 486670876
Originally Posted on: 7/24/2025
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