Therapy Assistant-Recreation

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Topeka, KS, is seeking a Recreation Therapy Assistant (GS-6) for the EKHCS Recreation Therapy Service.

The role involves implementing therapy interventions, coordinating activities, and assisting with treatment plans in multiple facility areas. The position requires English proficiency and a valid driver’s license, with a possible pathway through related graduate education or internship.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English required.
• A current, valid state driver’s license is required.
• Graduate education or internship related to therapy assistant can qualify under alternative pathways.

Responsibilities

• Implements recreation therapy treatment interventions under supervision.
• Conducts individual and small-group recreation therapy activities.
• Assists planning and implementing treatment programs.
• Modifies activities based on patient needs and priorities.
• Provides equipment, materials, instruction, and counseling to support participation.
• Conducts bedside and facility-based programs and develops individualized plans.
• Assists with patient assessments and treatment plan development.
• Coordinates and escorts patients to activities, including transportation assistance.
• Observes patient participation and adjusts activities as needed.
• Documents therapy treatment in medical records with outcomes and goals.
• Performs duties as assigned.
• Work Schedule: Full-Time – Tuesday through Saturday.
• Occasional extended hours may be required.

Skills

English proficiency

Driver's license

Education

Graduate education/internship related to therapy assistant

Job description

Summary

This position is assigned to the Recreation Therapy Service - Eastern Kansas Health Care System (EKHCS) in Topeka - Kansas. The employee works in various areas throughout the facility including - Community Living Center - Mental Health - and Domiciliary serving as a Recreation Therapy Assistant. This announcement has been extended to 9/25/2026. Applicants who have applied - do not need to re-apply.

Qualifications

English Language Proficiency Requirement: 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 perform the duties of this position. Driver's License Requirement: A current - valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs - therefore; please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package. If an interview is requested - you will be required to provide a copy of your current - valid state-issued Driver's License. ~AND~ IN ADDITION TO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AND DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT - TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-6 GRADE LEVEL - YOU MUST ALSO MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: 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; and providing patient care based on practical knowledge of the modalities used in therapeutic recreation. 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~ EDUCATION: Have 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 Therapy Assistant position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION: Have 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. Physical Requirements: The position involves moderately heavy lifting of physically impaired patients while assisting with ambulation duties. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as long periods of standing or walking for prolonged periods of time and over rough - uneven - or rocky surfaces; frequent bending - crouching - reaching - stooping - and stretching or similar activities to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; recurring lifting of moderately heavy items such as bowling and sports equipment and repositioning patients - and pushing or pulling heavy objects. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapeutic procedures. The employee must be able to push wheelchair patients on level and inclined ground. The employee must be physically able to drive the station vehicles and pass the Occupational Health Clinic Motor Vehicle Operator Evaluation. Travel between campuses may be required. 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-qualification-standards/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Duties

• ***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 - but may not be limited to the following: Implements recreation therapy treatment interventions for patients with physical and mental health conditions under the supervision of a Recreation Therapist
• Conducts individual and small-group recreation therapy activities - using both standard and nonstandard treatment procedures and approaches
• Assists Recreation Therapists with planning and implementing treatment programs designed to address patients' individual treatment needs and treatment plans
• Modifies and adapts therapeutic activities - procedures - and schedules based on patients' disabilities - abilities - treatment priorities - and changing needs
• Provides therapeutic equipment - materials - instruction - encouragement - and counseling necessary to support patients' participation in recreation therapy activities
• Conducts bedside and facility-based recreation therapy programs - including individualized programs based on patients' interests - attitudes - motivation - illnesses - and disabilities
• Assists with patient assessments and development of treatment plans in collaboration with the Recreation Therapist
• Coordinates and escorts patients to community recreation therapy activities - including transporting patients and assisting ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients with entering/exiting vehicles and navigating community environments
• Observes and evaluates patient participation and response to treatment - including progress or regression - and adjusts activities as appropriate within assigned responsibilities
• Documents recreation therapy treatment in the patient's medical record - including interventions provided - duration - frequency - outcomes - patient response - goals/objectives - and information needed by the treatment team
• Performs duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Full-Time - Tuesday through Saturday
• 8:00 am to 4:30 pm - There may be times - (although rare) where coverage to opposite campus is expected
• May be asked to work extended hours
• Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
• Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved.