Recreation Therapy Assistant I - Fitzsimons Veterans Community Living Center - Aurora, CO.

State of Colorado; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimons in Aurora, CO, seeks a Therapy Assistant I to plan, organize, and facilitate programs addressing residents’ cultural, social, educational, recreational, psychological, physical, and spiritual needs. You will promote personal enjoyment and a sense of belonging while supporting restoration to self-care and optimal psychosocial functioning.

As a Therapy Assistant I, you will design daily recreational activities, develop neighborhood calendars,

Responsibilities

• Design and facilitate engaging daily recreational programs tailored to meet the unique needs of the residents, including cognitive, physical, spiritual, and creative activities.
• Develop comprehensive neighborhood activity calendars for supervisor approval, ensuring a robust and varied schedule of events.
• Deliver compassionate 1-on-1 therapeutic programming (e.g., sensory stimulation, artistic expression, wheelchair walks) aligned with Clinical Therapist care plans.
• Diligently track and document daily program attendance, activity refusals, independent pursuits, and therapeutic goal responses.
• Coordinate event schedules, locations, and special requests seamlessly with nursing, dietary, laundry, and housekeeping departments.
• Source necessary program supplies and responsibly manage the department purchasing card within established budgets and state guidelines.
• Organize, conduct, and safely supervise off-site excursions and community outings chosen by the residents.
• Actively participate in staff and committee meetings while completing required Cornerstone and Relias training modules.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job description

Department Information

This position is open to current Colorado residents only. Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Residential and Reintegration Services

Colorado Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimons

Colorado Veterans Community Living Center (VCLC) at Fitzsimons is a beautiful 180-bed, skilled nursing facility serving Colorado’s veterans. We strive to honor and respect those living in our community through companionship and person-centered care while providing a comfortable and safe place to live. At Fitzsimons, we provide long-term care, short-term rehab, and a secured memory care neighborhood, and are conveniently located on the medical campus with UC Hospital and the Aurora VA Medical Center. Fitzsimons celebrates a low 14% staff turnover rate and substantial longevity among staff.

Visit us online at: www.colorado.gov/cdhs/veteranshomes/fitzsimons

Description of Job

You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times.

The shift covered by this posting will be Friday - Tuesday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Please note: Shifts and work arrangements are subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

The Therapy Assistant I will plan, organize, and facilitate a program of activities to meet the cultural, social, educational, recreational, psychological, physical, and spiritual needs and interests of the residents of your assigned neighborhood(s). To afford the resident personal enjoyment and satisfaction and to develop a feeling of usefulness and belonging. To encourage each resident to strive for restoration to self-care, maintenance of resumption of normal activities, and maintenance of an optimal level of psychosocial function. To promote opportunities to engage in normal pursuits, including religious activities of the residents’ choice. To assist the facility in acknowledging and providing an individualized leisure routine that meets each individual's needs.

Additionally, as a Therapy Assistant I, you can expect to:

• Design and facilitate engaging daily recreational programs tailored to meet the unique needs of the residents, including cognitive, physical, spiritual, and creative activities.
• Develop comprehensive neighborhood activity calendars for supervisor approval, ensuring a robust and varied schedule of events.
• Deliver compassionate 1-on-1 therapeutic programming (e.g., sensory stimulation, artistic expression, wheelchair walks) aligned with Clinical Therapist care plans.
• Diligently track and document daily program attendance, activity refusals, independent pursuits, and therapeutic goal responses.
• Coordinate event schedules, locations, and special requests seamlessly with nursing, dietary, laundry, and housekeeping departments.
• Source necessary program supplies and responsibly manage the department purchasing card within established budgets and state guidelines.
• Organize, conduct, and safely supervise off-site excursions and community outings chosen by the residents.
• Actively participate in staff and committee meetings while completing required Cornerstone and Relias training modules.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience Only

None

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

• None

Education and Experience

• None

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• FULL BACKGROUND CHECK: This position will have direct contact with vulnerable persons (as defined by C.R.S.27-90-111: "Direct contact" means providing face-to-face care, training, supervision, counseling, consultation, or medication assistance to vulnerable persons, regardless of the level of supervision of the department employee. "Direct contact" may include positions in which persons have access to or unsupervised time with clients or patients, including but not limited to maintenance personnel, housekeeping staff, kitchen staff, and security personnel.)
• Full background checks include:
  • CBI & FBI fingerprint check, Colorado Court Database check, Medicare Fraud Database, TRAILS Database check.
• This position will also provide direct care to vulnerable adults requiring a CAPS check (as defined by C.R.S. 26-3.1-101, position provides services & support care to at-risk/vulnerable adults including case management, clergy, physical or mental health services, safety or welfare services)
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Must complete and pass TB test and any other vaccinations as required by the facility.
• Motor Vehicle Check
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License; Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of the employment start date.
• May be required to travel/transport residents in state vehicles
• Must be able to work weekends. Shifts can vary based on resident programming demands of the day.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
  • Disclose that information on the application.
  • Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
  • Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:
• Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached".

You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Comparative Analysis Process - Structured Application Review

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing.

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.

If listed, answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions

Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Appeal Rights

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review. You can find the official appeal form here . You must deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

• By email ([e-mail]), or
• Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203, or
• Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203), or
• Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

Contact The State Personnel Board For Assistance

• At [phone], or
• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Supplemental Information

• The Assessment Process

About Us & Benefits

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high-quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS . In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer-supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
• Employee Wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families, and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness, and