Summary

The incumbent will serve as the recreation therapy assistant (RTA) for the assigned patient care area/program (s). The incumbent is responsible for carrying out a full range of Therapeutic Recreation programs and interventions inclusive of recreation treatment modalities and general recreation (diversional) activities - as defined and assessed or assigned by the Recreation Therapist and/or Supervisory Recreation Therapy Program Manger.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement - 05/27/2026. 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-4. 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.

Basic Requirements:

• 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
• Drivers License - A current - valid state-issued Driver's License is required for this position
• GS-5 Qualifications: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-4) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization
• Examples of 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
• OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience
• To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have have 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation
• (Transcripts Required) OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level you must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation
• (Transcripts Required) GS-6 Qualifications: You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You 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
• Examples of 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
• knowledge of human body and psychology - specific to the adult and the geriatric patient
• knowledge of basic medical terminology
• skills to design - devise - and/or adapt leisure activities to facilitate attainment of treatment objectives
• 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/.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Utilizes time management skills to accomplish the objectives of the Recreation Therapy Section of Rehabilitative Care Services
• Prioritizes tasks to ensure that work is accomplished within established time frames
• Adapts to changes in processes or procedures without impacting ability to carry out assigned tasks
• Works with others to improve systems without sacrificing appropriate attention to patient care needs
• Works effectively with recreation therapists and other specialists in evaluating - planning - organizing and administering activities and treatment
• Works effectively with patients who may be physically - psychologically - emotionally or socially dysfunctional - demented - confused - verbally or physically abusive
• Knowledge and skill to complete medical record documentation via electronic healthcare record system
• Basic facilitation skills and ability to encourage/motivate patients with complex diagnoses to participate in social and recreational activities
• Effectively able to communicate with volunteer organizations and other stakeholders that support recreation programs
• Practical knowledge of human body and psychology - specific to the adult and the geriatric patient - in order to provide care for patients that attains goals without exacerbating other conditions/problems
• Ability to properly use adaptive equipment such as wheelchair bus - walker - wheelchair and adaptive sports/activity equipment
• Knowledge of safety precautions and contraindications for particular disabilities and diagnoses
• Basic knowledge and skills to design - devise - and/or adapt leisure activities to facilitate attainment of treatment objectives
• Operates equipment - including vehicles in a proper and safe manner - using proper body mechanics and following established rules and policies related to the transport of patients
• Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level GS-6 without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are met
• Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level
• Work Schedule: Tuesday - Friday 9:00am - 6:30pm - Every other Sat 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Compressed Position Description/PD#: Therapy Assistant/PD41132A and PD41133A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized