Recreation Therapy Assistant

The incumbent completes a preliminary review of specific patients being served, assists in compiling patient information and data, determining patient needs, and collaborates in the development, planning, and coordination of clinical therapeutic recreation programming for Veterans receiving services at the Battle Creek VAMC. They are responsible for carrying out a full range of Therapeutic Recreation Services inclusive of recreation treatment modalities and general recreation activities.Major duties include, but are not limited to:Carrying out a full range of Therapeutic Recreation Services inclusive of recreation treatment modalities and general recreation (diversional) activities.Working with patients who have a variety of illnesses, diseases and /or disabling conditions with varying degrees of impairment.Works as an integral member of the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section staff of Social Work Service, providing patient care bases on practical knowledge of the modalities used in therapeutic recreation.Responsible for assisting in the development of specific activities and routines to maintain or improve patient's general state of physical and/or mental health.Independently supervises on-station and off-station general (diversional) activity programs for diverse types of disabilities which include psychiatric diagnoses, dementia, neuromuscular disorders, orthopedic conditions, AIDS; amputation, paralysis, spinal cord injury, head injury, respiratory disorders, chronic cardiovascular diseases, and patients with multiple diagnoses.Strives to lessen mental and physical deterioration, maintaining the highest degree of self-help and independence within limitations of a patient's disability and provides feedback to the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Program Manager, designee, and/or other team members as appropriate.Works with Recreation Therapists in selecting, adapting, and/or adjusting recreation therapy modalities in accordance with treatment goals.May independently modify techniques and develop innovative approach as necessary to ensure the realization of patient treatment goals are met in non-complex cases.Transports and/or escorts patients in support of community re-integration programs, provides instruction on expectations and observes patient for unpredictable behavior. Physically assists those in need of assistance in getting into and out of the vehicles.Assists in maintaining the leisure activity areas, offices, outdoor activity areas by performing periodic on-site inspections and reporting any problems i.e., confidence course, pavilion, etc.Completes medical record documentation, specific to clinical programming, according to VHA, Joint Commission Accreditation Healthcare Organizations, CARF and Recreation Therapy guidelines.Continuously evaluates the effectiveness of ongoing recreational activities in assigned program area from the standpoint of participant response, resources, unforeseen developments and program objectives.Solicits support and involvement of volunteers in specialized treatment programs. Follows up on activities involving these individuals or groups for confirmation, supplies needed and other details pertinent to the activity.Performs other duties as assigned.Possession of a current, valid lifeguard certification is preferred.Work Schedule: Sunday-Thursday 8:00am-4:30pm or Tuesday-Saturday 8:00am-4:30pm. One shift per week may be an evening shift; based on the needs of the servicePosition Description/PD#: Recreation Therapy Assistant/PD91645A