The Recreation Therapy Assistant (RTA) is located within Patient Care Services at the Lexington VA Healthcare Systems; a dual campus-facility. The incumbent is charged with responsibility for a range of recreation programs for assigned patient care program (s). They play a crucial role in supporting the primary recreation or creative arts therapist (RCAT) in carrying out recreation services.

Duties

These services and interventions may be administered in both the inpatient and outpatient settings that address the assessed needs of the patients utilizing motivational approaches. Under the direction of the assessed needs of patients utilizing motivational approaches. Under the direction of the primary RCAT, they are responsible for the daily planning and implementation of recreation programs, services and activity interventions on specific units and areas with coverage needs including: Mental Health (MH), Creative arts, Adaptive Sports and rec hall. These activities include but are not limited to unit-based formal/informal and community settings. Incumbent is responsible for the coordination, scheduling, and completion of activities relating to Veteran's programs, including pet visitation, community outings, special events and other opportunities as indicated. Programs are scheduled days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, extended over a 7-day work week, 365 days per year. Main duties consist of the following: Independently develops and implements programs that support the primary RCAT goals for the patient. Responsible for carrying out a full range of Recreation Therapy Services inclusive of recreation therapy modalities and general recreation (diversional) activities. Independent implementation of diversional activities to achieve goals as identified on the "Continuum of Goal-directed Therapeutic Recreation Interventions". Goal areas are separated into three areas: rehabilitation, prevention, and maintenance goals. Provides guidance and leadership to the various activities modifying, adapting, expanding, or otherwise changing plans and procedures for scheduled recreation activities. Responsible for developing specific activities and routines to maintain or improve patient's general state of physical and/or mental health based on the recreation therapy assessment completed by the Recreation Therapist and/or other team members as appropriate. Works with patients who have a variety of illnesses, diseases and/or disabling conditions with varying degrees of impairment. Patient care areas include Community Living Center (CLC), Mental Health (MH) units, Adaptive Sports, Residential Recovery & Treatment Program (RRTP) and outpatient services. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am -5:00pm (Evenings, Weekends, & Holidays as Needed) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Recreation Therapy Assistant/PD304550 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/20/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: Must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized Experience typically includes, but is not limited to: Experience working with a wide range or programs and activities in physical fitness, rehabilitation and/or recreational activities; Utilizing standard methods to plan and coordinate recreation activities and proposing adaptations to procedures, planning and scheduling and other logistical details. Possessing a familiarity with the physical and mental capabilities, emotional and psychological considerations, and interests for medical facility patients. Maintaining recreational materials and equipment needed for games, crafts and sporting events. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Group leader, counselor, or similar work in public and private recreation programs for adults resort recreational activities. Teacher's aid 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. 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communication Patient Care Veteran and Customer Focus 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. Physical Requirements: Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling: 1 - 10 pounds constantly, 10 - 25 frequently, and 25 - 50 pounds occasionally. Specific examples include: Picking up, carrying, and placing folders, charts, books, and binders. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment. Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 50 pounds. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, and supply carts. Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers, which may be up to 50 pounds. RTA must be able to push patients in wheelchairs on level and incline ground. 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

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 Lexington VA Health Care System 2250 Leestown Road Lexington, KY 40511 US
• Name: Julissa Jimenez
• Phone: (407) 579-4973
• Email: [email protected]