Therapy Assistant
Recreation therapy assistants work closely with therapists in assigned areas to co-plan the monthly therapeutic/activity/event calendars. Personal contacts with therapists, physicians, nurses, clinical records and treatment teams are used to assist with implementing recreation therapy treatment plans and methodologies for provision of care. A recreation therapy assistant makes frequent and extensive changes in approaches and activities, without prior approval of supervisor, to enable patients to make progress towards treatment goals. These treatment procedures will involve standard and nonstandard interventions, which may require special and/or frequent adaptation or change to meet specific patient needs. The patients may have medical, psychological and physical diagnosis and many may have complex medical conditions with multiple medical diagnosis. Through the understanding of the therapeutic values of recreation, the incumbent applies the techniques of recreation to restore, maintain or improve the health and wellness of the patients. Therapy assistants work with a high degree of independence in planning and carrying out highly specialized and complex treatment in working out treatment routines, adapting treatment procedures, and in changing or modifying the content of treatment plans. Plans and administers recreation therapy as the employee in charge of specialized treatment area such as Recreation Hall, Recreation Therapy Multipurpose Room, Auditorium, and facilities. Incumbent selects and adapts treatment activities, without prior supervisor approval, to meet the needs and abilities of individual patients; modifies treatment procedures and treatment approaches to enable patient to overcome handicaps and progress; trains and supervises volunteers who work with patients. Incumbent is responsible for diversional recreation programs in which patients may voluntarily participate. Work Schedule:
Sunday - Thursday 10:
00 am to 6:
30 pm, except Wednesdays 12:
00pm to 8:
30 pm Telework:
Not available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#:
Therapy Assistant674-7279-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/28/2020. BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. Education. NOTE:
Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Six months of graduate education or equivalent meets the requirements for GS-6. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level. Specialized
Experience:
You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
Basic knowledge of concepts of therapeutic recreation and diversional activities to be able to understand how to turn a therapist's treatment plan/goals into treatment program/activities for a specific Veteran. The incumbent must draw upon a broad practical knowledge of the characteristics of physical and mental illness in judging the conditions of patients, in recognizing the relationships between patient's disabilities and the effects of treatment, and in assessing accurately both positive and negative responses to treatment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of a variety of standardized assessment tools in order to provide a more comprehensive intervention under the supervision of an occupational therapist. 2. Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients who have a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. 3. Ability to provide complex/multi-step instructions to patients, caregivers, and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual. 4. Ability to promote occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as staff OTAs, receiving little to no guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues and require general supervision by the treating occupational therapist. 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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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. 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. In addition to the basic requirement, you may qualify based on your experience as described below:
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
CommunicationsManages ResourcesPlanning 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:
Position requires walking between offices and clinics on station. It also involves significant sitting, standing, bending, pushing to transport patients in wheelchairs, and lifting to assist with transfers as required when treating patients; manual dexterity for equipment assembly and adjustment; and physical activity as necessitated by therapeutic interventions. 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/.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Sunday - Thursday 10:
00 am to 6:
30 pm, except Wednesdays 12:
00pm to 8:
30 pm Telework:
Not available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#:
Therapy Assistant674-7279-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/28/2020. BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens. Education. NOTE:
Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Six months of graduate education or equivalent meets the requirements for GS-6. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level. Specialized
Experience:
You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
Basic knowledge of concepts of therapeutic recreation and diversional activities to be able to understand how to turn a therapist's treatment plan/goals into treatment program/activities for a specific Veteran. The incumbent must draw upon a broad practical knowledge of the characteristics of physical and mental illness in judging the conditions of patients, in recognizing the relationships between patient's disabilities and the effects of treatment, and in assessing accurately both positive and negative responses to treatment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of a variety of standardized assessment tools in order to provide a more comprehensive intervention under the supervision of an occupational therapist. 2. Ability to use problem-solving skills when providing therapeutic interventions for patients who have a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities. 3. Ability to provide complex/multi-step instructions to patients, caregivers, and other health care professionals adapting instructions to meet the learning needs of the individual. 4. Ability to promote occupational therapy services effectively, providing training and interventions within the assigned areas. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as staff OTAs, receiving little to no guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues and require general supervision by the treating occupational therapist. 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-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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. 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. In addition to the basic requirement, you may qualify based on your experience as described below:
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
CommunicationsManages ResourcesPlanning 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:
Position requires walking between offices and clinics on station. It also involves significant sitting, standing, bending, pushing to transport patients in wheelchairs, and lifting to assist with transfers as required when treating patients; manual dexterity for equipment assembly and adjustment; and physical activity as necessitated by therapeutic interventions. 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/.
- Department:
0636 Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant - Salary Range:
$38,921 to $50,598 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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