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.
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/.
Lindsey.Neff2@va.gov · 6504935000 X69153
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $45409 – $59031/yr.
Applications close on 2026-11-02.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-22 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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