Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Recreation Therapy Assistant in Gainesville, Florida
Summary The Recreation Therapy Assistant works week days and weekend and holiday hours administers a wide variety of therapeutic recreation treatment interventions and activities as part of the patient care plan. Independently implements and modifies as necessary treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimal outcomes. Utilizes recreational materials and equipment, gym equipment and therapeutic exercises. Incumbent deals directly with patients and the public. Responsibilities MAJOR DUTIES: Turns in items and completes necessary documentation to maintain accountability. Properly enters progress notes in CPRS as needed. Takes actions consistent with the objectives of the program. Adapts interventions to match patient ability and physical limitations. Conducts well-being classes, group or individual, for the purpose of promoting, preserving, or restoring health. Compiles, prepares, and submits records, and requests concerning participation. Prepares and sets up clinic to support scheduled events and activities. Participates in creating standards and protocols for the program. Conducts regular inspections of equipment and initiates and tracks work orders to repair equipment. As assigned, the work may include purchasing supplies, equipment and other materials utilizing prescribed purchasing guidelines and procedures; attends to budgetary matters when needed. Compiles, prepares, and submits records, reports and requests concerning participation, material and equipment purchases, and inventories. Ensures that all supply and equipment requirements are identified/justified and requested through proper channels. Work Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00AM-7:30PM Telework: Not eligible for Telework Position Description/PD#: Recreation Therapy Assistant/PD06064A Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/08/2025. 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 and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 1. Entering documentation electronically into Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) or Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA), 2. Coordinates supports and assists in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of therapeutic recreational programs and/or special events with staff. 3. Conducts well-being classes, group or individual, for the purpose of promoting, preserving, or restoring health. 4. Conducts regular inspections of equipment and initiates and tracks work orders to repair equipment. 5. Adapts interventions to match patient ability and physical limitations.. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed One full year of graduate education . NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Computer Skills Creativity and Innovation Planning and Evaluating 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: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; pushing or pulling heavy objects; leading or directing physical exercise. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures, as well as skill and ability in the therapist's creative arts discipline. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (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 rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.