This position is assigned to the Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders (SCI/D) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The position involves assisting Recreation Therapists and the Rehabilitation Section in the implementation of recreational programs, activities, and events to meet Veterans' needs. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. AND This position includes a Selective Placement Factor (skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job). Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish to meet the requirements of this position. In addition to meeting the English Proficiency and Selective Placement Factor, to qualify for this position, you must meet one of the following: A. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) in Federal Service, that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of a Therapy Assistant), and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include work as an assistant to one of the specialized therapies such as occupational, physical, manual arts, corrective, or educational therapy; or experience gained as an assistant or aid in patient care, social work, or psychology where the duties involved actual participation in physical medicine and activities of a hospital or clinic; applicants should have knowledge of medical terminology. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. ~OR~ B. EDUCATION: Successfully completed six months of graduate education, or an internship meets the specialized experience required only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position (Therapy Assistant). NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ C. COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed directly related graduate education and specialized experience to qualify. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Computer Skills Patient Care Technical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; pushing or pulling heavy objects; leading or directing physical exercise. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures, as well as skill and ability in the therapist's creative arts discipline. 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/. ["***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major Duties Include: Administers a wide variety of therapeutic recreation treatment interventions and activities as part of the patient care plan. Implements and modifies treatment plan and goals as needed throughout course of treatment to ensure optimal outcomes. Utilizes recreational materials and equipment, gym equipment and therapeutic exercises. Plans schedules, and implements a diverse variety of leisure and therapeutic recreational activities for Veterans and family members including but not limited to sports and games, art, crafts, music, drama, horticulture, pets, trips, special events, social programs, etc. Performs activity support functions such as setting up recreation areas for scheduled activities, gathering information and making reservations for trips and outings, arranging for equipment and supplies, transporting patients to and from activities, etc. Performs basic documentation in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 8:00am-4:30pm; May include some evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call duties (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs)??????? Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required."]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. At VA Long Beach Healthcare System, our health care teams are deeply experienced and guided by the needs of Veterans, their families, and caregivers. Our medical center provides primary care and specialty health services, including cardiology, mental health care, treatment for spinal cord injuries and disorders, suicide prevention, women’s health services, and more.