Recreation Assistant

Recreation Assistant

Summary

This position is administratively aligned under the Recreation Therapy Section within the Rehab & Extended Care Service Line. The Recreation Assistant organizes, coordinates, schedules and implements a program of therapeutic and free-choice recreation activities for designated patient groups that consist of young adults to geriatric patients with simple to complex psychiatric and/or physical disabilities.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/05/2024. Minimum Qualification Requirements: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: This position has individual occupational requirements for specialized experience that are defined 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 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. 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. Specialized Experience: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level in the federal service that has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position and is in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Qualifying specialized experience includes what is stated above, as well as, but is not limited to: some knowledge of disease, illness, and disabling conditions which includes, but is not limited to mental illness, physical disability, emotional distress, substance abuse, medically compromised and the frail elderly; knowledge and skills with communication processes and motivational approaches. He/she must be able to assist with diverse treatment approaches for individuals or groups in order to facilitate accomplishment of treatment goals; knowledge of recreation programs and be able to implement and carry out the therapist's comprehensive Recreation Therapy Program plans to meet the needs of patients as well as the plans of the treatment unit program. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience are qualifying. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. Preferred Experience: Experience in Geriatrics or working in a Nursing Home. Experience with planning, organizing and implementing social events in a nursing home and/or other clinical settings. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Patient Care Teamwork 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. 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/.

Duties

'This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 5, 2024.
The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 12, 2024.
Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
Responsible for planning and implementing recreation activities for designated patient groups at Black Hills Health Care System-Fort Meade and/or Hot Springs as assigned.
Candidate responsible for adapting activities to provide enjoyable and therapeutically oriented activities that educate, motivate and entertain patients.
Utilize a wide range of activities, modalities and motivational techniques to stimulate patient interest and participation.
Programs include, but are not limited to Leisure Skills, Sensory Stimulation, Orientation, Leisure Education, Community Reintegration, Life Skills, Social Skills Training, Re-motivation, Stress Management, and Adaptive Equipment, Modalities and Techniques.
Responsible for understanding and following patient-specific precautions and preferences and may participate as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team(s).
Prepare medical record documentation as assigned, to document the progress of patients response to interventions, or unusual incidents.
Report all unusual or emergent incidents; i.e.
illness or injury of a patient, staff, and/or volunteers in a timely fashion and to the proper authority.
Conducts interventions in a variety of settings (on and off station), ranging from the usual dayroom to restaurants and parks.
Provide treatment in groups of various sizes as determined by treatment goals and activity, but may be on a one-to-one basis.
Responsible for the safety of patients at all times.
Utilize sound judgment in implementing the therapist's treatment plans.
In collaboration with the supervisor, assists in developing a realistic, timely budget to accomplish the Recreation Therapy treatment needs of the programs.
Work Schedule: Monday - Saturday, 8 hour days, 40 hours per week; will work every other Friday or Saturday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Recreation Assistant/PD20357-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.
This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.
As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.
This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.
This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.'