Therapy Assistant

The incumbent will serve as the Recreational Therapy Assistant (RTA) for assigned patient care programs and is responsible for assisting in developing, organizing, administering, assessing, and documenting therapeutic treatment interventions and responses to the Recreational Therapy Program. Patient care programs the assistant may be involved with include the Community Living Center, Domiciliary Progam High Intensity Psychiatric Unit, and outpatient mental healh programs.

Assist the recreation therapists in the design, planning, and implementing of specific therapeutic interventions and routines to maintain or improve the patient's general state of physical or mental health. Patient populations include those with mental health, substance abuse and rehabilitative conditions who generally have multiple medical concerns. Strives to restore mental and physical deterioration, maintaining the highest degree of self-help and independence within limitations or the patient's disability. Evaluate the patient's level of functioning, physical, emotional, mental and social limitations, needs, skills, aptitude and interest. Utilizes the therapeutic objectives that are complex because of the severe and multiple disabilities of the patients assigned. Works with difficult cases involving patients who have multiple diagnosis and/or severe medical complications that require unconventional creative and flexible approaches to treatment that may require modification of substantial adapting of procedures and modalities to more fully engage the patient in treatment. Implements the recreation therapy treatment plan and integrates interventions with other treatment in order to achieve the goals established for the patient. Observes, assesses, and reports to the treatment team reactions of the patient to treatment. Administers therapeutic recreation interventions that strengthen debilitated muscles resulting from the aging process, prolonged bed rest, amputation, stroke, wound care, and joint replacement. Performs administrative duties. Work Schedule: Wednesday-Sunday 8:00am-4:30pm. Subject to work evenings and Holidays. Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Therapy Assistant/PD619093 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): No approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.