Recreation Therapy Assistant

Full Job Description

The Recreation Therapy Assistant (RTA) is located within Patient Care Services at the Lexington VA Healthcare Systems; a dual campus-facility.

The incumbent is charged with responsibility for a range of recreation programs for assigned patient care program (s).

They play a crucial role in supporting the primary recreation or creative arts therapist (RCAT) in carrying out recreation services.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/10/2026.

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.

If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.

In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

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.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: For the GS-6 Recreation Assistant: Specialized Experience - Applicants 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.

Specialized Experience for this position is defined as below: Knowledge of the standard techniques and treatment procedures, adapting recreation programs for patients of various ages and disabilities meeting their individual needs.

Knowledge of medical terminology and basic health care issues to be able to report to the progress and reactions of the patients in treatment, utilizing insight and judgment obtained through experience working with veterans.

Knowledge of and skill in applying rehabilitation process, motivational techniques, disabilities and their impact on employability and work performance/potential.

Knowledge of and skills in the maintenance and sue of recreation equipment and supplies.

Knowledge and skill in the use of a variety of computer software to include but not limited to data entry, VISTA, CPRS, MS Office, telephone, copier, and fax machine.

Knowledge of in-house and community recreation delivery systems to plan a varied diverse recreation program including sports, socials, music, physical exercise, etc.; to plan and oversee a recreation program during evenings, weekends, and holidays; to plan activities using various community resources and to greet volunteers.

Practical knowledge of maintaining a recreation calendar which involves interaction and scheduling of civic and service organizations who volunteer and ensuring the coordination of these activities with appropriate staff.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Clerical Patient Care Veteran and Customer Focus 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: Reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling: 1 - 10 pounds constantly, 10 - 25 frequently, and 25 - 50 pounds occasionally.

Specific examples include: Picking up, carrying, and placing folders, charts, books, and binders. Setting up equipment for patients such as weights or durable medical equipment.

Lifting and carrying adaptive equipment ranging in weight from negligible to 50 pounds. Pushing and rolling equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, and supply carts.

Assisting patients in mobility such as ambulation and transfers, from minimal assistance to dependent transfers, which may be up to 50 pounds.

RTA must be able to push patients in wheelchairs on level and incline ground.

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/.

Major Duties:

Duties of the position include, but may not be limited to the following: Provide treatment which has been prescribed as a part of the patient's physical, mental, social, and/or emotional rehabilitation program.

Carrying out a full range of Therapeutic Recreation programs and interventions inclusive of recreation treatment modalities and general recreation (diversional) activities.

Provide therapy to patient individually, in small groups or in large groups, depending on the patient's functional abilities, the needs of the patients and the appropriate number of patients and staff needed to properly administer the therapy.

Monitor and document the patient's responses to the treatment as part of the treatment evaluation process.

Work closely with therapists in planning and evaluating treatments offered, there will be a large amount of autonomy in the work performed.

Organize social gatherings and community programs for veterans.

Responsible for managing and maintaining a healthy and socially therapeutic environment during all treatment and services provided for the patients.

Work independently with patients and responsible for minimizing all potential risks to patients and following safety policy/procedures.

Prepares documents with word processing and associated software, selecting the appropriate program for office needs including but not limited to, MS Office Suite.

Provide phone coverage and ensure telephone calls, office visitors, and patients are screened and referred to appropriate individuals. Complete and maintain patient records.

Prepare/Lead the many activities sponsored by volunteer organizations for the patients. Submit work orders and inform the supervisor, Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy when major repairs are needed.

Maintain equipment used in treatment and services through proper use, cleaning, preventative maintenance and minor repairs.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, may include weekends or holidays depending on scheduled activities.

Available Tours of Duty: 0700-1530, 0730-1600, 0800-1630 Position Description/PD#: Recreation Therapy Assistant/PD304550 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized