This position is located at the Royal C. Johnson VA Medical Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. This position is for the Hospice Cottage which is organized around the needs and lives of Veterans who live there. Being a constant companion of the elderly is the purpose and responsibility of the recreation assistant. The duty of the recreation assistant is to protect, to nurture, and to sustain the elder, to maintain the safety and cleanliness of the environment, and for providing high quality care.
Major duties and responsibilities include: Provides services and interventions in the inpatient hospice setting that address the needs of the patient utilizing motivational approaches Addresses customers in a courteous manner that reflects favorably on the Medical Center and promotes pride and good will in self, service and the medical center Publicizes recreational activities, attracting and motivating participants Plans special events and federal holiday events for Veterans in the Hospice Cottage Maintains and requests reading materials, cards, games, etc. Prepares and serves food and beverages according to the number of servings required Delivers meal trays to the patients' bedsides and report the patients' comments and complaints to the supervisor or dietitian Ensures all common areas of the residence, indoors and outdoors, are clean and presentable Answers patient/visitor questions Uses the ICARE Values in all aspects of the positions: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect & Excellence ServSafe food handler certification preferred Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Sunday - Saturday, 6:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. This is a full time position, with a 36-44 hour work week. Work Schedule varies throughout the week and various times of the day to include days, evenings, weekends and holidays (work hours may be further discussed during interview process) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Recreation Assistant - Hospice/PD80438A, PD80437A, and PD80436A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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.
Opening Date: July 15, 2026 Closing Date: September 30, 2026 First Cut-Off Date: July 29, 2026 Note: This is an Open Continuous Announcement. Qualified candidates will be referred as vacancies occur. Eligible applications received after July 29, 2026, will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until all positions are filled. Final application disposition will be completed at the end of the open period stated in the announcement. 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/. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment 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. The employee work assignment involves regular and recurring physical exertions, such as prolonged walking, standing, bending, reaching, stooping, climbing, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting, handling and operating various supplies and equipment needed by the service, lifting and repositioning patients, moderately heaving lifting (50 lbs. or less), moving equipment and procuring supplies, working in extreme temperatures, positioning Veterans, and assisting Veterans in transfer, and/or ambulation. The work requires specific, common, and physical characteristics and abilities such as above average agility and dexterity. Incumbent must be able to push Veterans in wheelchairs on level and incline ground. At times, there may be undue heavy lifting due to unforeseen circumstances such as preventing patient from falling. Most activities are rendered in the area to which the employee is assigned. At times, activities are conducted on outside of hospital grounds or during outings into the community. The employee work assignment requires a current CPR certificate. The employee will perform work requiring light to moderate physical effort. They are subject to continuous standing and walking, and frequent stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, and bending. They frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted and occasionally lift or move objects weighing more than 40 pounds with the assistance of others. Work Conditions: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts that require special safety and health precautions, e.g., working with Veterans and in situations where there is risk of exposure to contagious diseases, odors and/or flammable gases. The employee is required to wear personal protective equipment such as gloves and a mask to prevent disease and the spread of infection. Activities are conducted in the medical center, outdoors, on hospital grounds, or during outings into the community. The employee is exposed to weather conditions, infectious diseases, and medical emergencies. This is a variable shift, to include weekends and evenings, and may change to meet the needs of the program. Holidays are included in this schedule in accordance with program needs. The work area is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated. The work is moderately stressful, is accomplished in an area with many interruptions, and requires mental and emotional stability, flexibility and the ability to meet short deadlines. Work may require occasional travel. There is a possibility of encountering physical or verbal aggression due to close contact with Veterans with varying medical diagnoses. The food service work is performed in the hospice cottage kitchen area where the steam and heat from cooking and dishwashing equipment may cause uncomfortably high temperatures and humidity. The work area is well-lighted. The employee will have regular exposure to hot liquids, sharp cutting blades and hot working surfaces. 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/.
Kara.Grieser@va.gov (320) 252-1670 X7151
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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