This Position is located at the New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS), Albuquerque, New Mexico, Community Living Center Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Unit, whose mission is to honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. This position incorporates and includes responsibilities in the Whole Health Initiative for the NMVAHCS.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties and responsibilities include: The incumbent will serve as the Recreation Therapy Assistant (RTA) for the assigned patient care area/program(s) Independently develops and implements diversional/recreational programs. Works with patients who have a variety of illnesses, diseases and/or disabling conditions with varying degrees of impairment. Applies diverse treatment plans for patients whose physical and mental condition requires the application of nonstandard in addition to standard treatment procedures and approaches. Independently conducts on-station and off-station general (diversional) activity programs for various types of disabilities. Strives to reduce mental and physical functional declines. The incumbent Works with professional Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) to select, adapt, and/or adjust recreation therapy modalities in accordance with treatment goals. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm; Alternate weekends. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. 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 in order to meet the requirements of this position. ~AND~ Driver's License Requirement: A current and valid state-issued driver's license is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package; however, you may be required to bring a copy of your license if you are contacted for an interview. ~AND~ Specialized Experience: Posses at least (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) in Federal Service, that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of a Therapy Assistant), and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work as an assistant to one of the specialized therapies such as occupational, physical, manual arts, corrective, or educational therapy; or experience gained as an assistant or aid in patient care, social work, or psychology where the duties involved actual participation in physical medicine and activities of a hospital or clinic; applicants should have knowledge of medical terminology. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: ClericalPatient CareTechnical Competence 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: In some assignments, the work involves regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged walking or standing, bending, moderately heavy lifting or moving of equipment, positioning severely disabled patients, and assisting patients in ambulation 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 leisure activities, maneuvering wheelchairs and driving wheelchair accessible vehicles. The work is primarily very active in nature with some sedentary work involved when performing administrative tasks. The work involves irregular tours of duty. Work Environment: The work, which is performed in clinics, on units, offices, conference rooms, medical center grounds and in the community involves regular and recurring risks. Incumbent is exposed to infectious diseases and medical emergencies. Many patients encountered are emotionally disturbed and may demonstrate assaultive/aggressive behaviors secondary to chronic schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, unaffected mental disorders, dementias, delirium, adjustment disorders, tec. 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]