The Recreation Assistant serves in the Recreation Therapy and Creative Arts Therapy section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Tampa, FL. The Recreation Therapy and Creative Arts Therapy Program is comprised of a diverse staff of therapists, assistants, and a driver.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** RTCAT provides comprehensive therapeutic interventions designed to successfully rehabilitate the Veterans/active duty servicemembers and assist them in discharging to the community in the least restrictive environment. Duties will include but are not limited to the following: Plans and implements a well-rounded therapy program under the guidance and supervision of a Recreation Therapist or Creative Arts Therapist. Handles a wide variety of disabilities whose treatment goals and objectives are both complex and progressive in nature. Plans and implements recreation activities for patients with but not limited to: Chronic Pain, Aphasia, Paralysis, Polytrauma, Spinal Cord Injuries, general medical/surgical, Mental Health, and Rehabilitation (TBI, Amputee, CVA, Orthopedics, etc.). Adapts to the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial needs of the individual patient. Manages the physical environment, equipment, instruction, and social interactions to promote optimal participation based on the patient's age, needs, abilities, interests, and problem areas identified by the treatment team. Participates as an active member of the treatment team and consult/co-treat with other medical staff to include recreation therapists, doctors, nurses, dietetics, physical therapists, occupational therapists, kinesiotherapists, speech therapists and other qualified professional personnel to coordinate the patient's treatment program. Notes patient's progress or lack of progress, behavior patterns, evaluate treatment results, make necessary changes to the treatment plan and report these factors to the Recreation Therapist/Creative Arts Therapist and the treatment team. Leads the patient into new and adapted leisure experiences generating the interest of the patient and attaining constructive, active involvement of the patient. Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday; 10:30am - 7:00pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English. and Specialized Experience: Meeting any examples of the qualifying specialized experience listed below, Such as: Group leader, counselor, or similar work in public and private recreation programs for adults or children such as summer camps, local playgrounds, YWCA and YMCA clubs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, urban community centers, or resort recreational activities. Teacher's aide in elementary school recreation or physical education program, with emphasis on development of general recreational skills and abilities. Aid or assistant assignments in recreation while on active military service. Aid or assistant in the organization and administration of recreation activities, such as preparing activities calendars, maintaining attendance records, and providing information concerning schedules and activities. Summer aid in a State or national park, with duties related to the recreational activities of visitors to campsites, trails, picnic areas, nature and raft centers, and boating and fishing areas (e.g., demonstrating camping techniques and park safety, conducting nature tours, and overseeing farm animal areas provided for children). Sales or stock clerk in a recreation supplies and equipment shop. Aid or assistant in the issuance of authorized property, and in the maintenance of inventory control and accountability for such property in a recreation facility. Aid or assistant in a hotel or resort recreation service, with duties such as setting up areas for games, tournaments, and other organized group recreational activities. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE GS-6: Having successfully completed one-half year; six (6) months of graduate education nine (9) semester credit hours above a bachelor's degree with major study in courses related to recreation or physical education or a related internship. (COPY OF OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GS-6: having an equivalent combination of creditable experience and education as described above, to meet total qualification requirements for this position at the next lower grade level. Only education more than a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. (COPY OF OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Computer SkillsCreativity and InnovationPlanning and Evaluating IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of intermittent standing, bending, and moderately heavy lifting or moving of equipment. The Recreation Assistant may be asked to work irregular tours of duty to include nights, weekends, and holidays. The Recreation Assistant may also be asked to participate in community outings requiring but not limited to driving vehicles, tying down wheelchairs, propelling wheelchairs, loading/unloading equipment, and supplies, etc. In the absences of a Motor Vehicle Driver, the Recreation Assistant will be required to hold a Class B Commercial Driver's License with passenger endorsement and air brakes to drive the large Rehab Bus. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address James A Haley Veterans Hospital 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Tampa, FL 33612 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]