Summary

These positions are located within the Social Work Service at the Battle Creek VA Healthcare System. The position will serve as the therapy assistant (TA) for the assigned patient care area/program(s). Therapy Assistants (TA) work in a variety of programs throughout the system - including but not limited to Inpatient Mental Health - Outpatient Mental Health - Community Living Center - Residential Rehabilitation Programs - Blind Rehabilitation - Medical Foster Home and a variety of other areas of care.

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: Possess a valid state driver's license. (Please DO NOT provide driver's license. We may not accept pictures. This requirement will be verified during interview). SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR (SCREEN-OUT) - A Selective Placement Factor (SPF) have been identified for this position. Selective Placement Factors (SPF) are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for the position. Applicants who do not meet the SPF are ineligible for further consideration. BASIC LIFE SUPPORT: Possess and maintain current Basic Life Support Provider (BLS) Certification. (CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED to receive credit for further consideration). ~AND~ IN ADDITION TO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY - DRIVER'S LICENSE AND SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR ABOVE - 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. Physical Requirements: In many assignments - the work involves regular and recurring physical exertion - such as prolonged walking or standing - bending - moderately heavy lifting or moving of equipment - pushing wheelchairs - positioning severely disabled patients - transferring from bed to wheelchair and assisting patients in ambulation. The work requires specific common physical characteristics and abilities - such as above average agility and dexterity. The position requires physical fitness and swimming skills necessary to maintain certification as a Lifeguard. 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

• NOTE: This announcement has been extended to 5/26/2026 due to a low applicant pool
• If you have already applied - you do not need to re-apply
• ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION - YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties include - but may not be limited to the following: 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
• Carries out a full range of Therapeutic Recreation Services inclusive of recreation treatment modalities and general recreation (diversional) activities
• Works with patients who have a variety of illnesses - diseases and /or disabling conditions with varying degrees of impairment
• Provides patient care based on practical knowledge of the modalities used in therapeutic recreation
• Assists in the development of specific activities and routines to maintain or improve patient's general state of physical and/or mental health based on the therapeutic recreation assessment
• Modifies techniques and develop innovative approaches 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 patients for unpredictable behavior
• Physically assists those in need of assistance in getting into and out of vehicles
• Completes medical record documentation
• Evaluates the effectiveness of ongoing recreational activities in assigned program areas from the standpoint of participant response - resources - unforeseen developments and program objectives
• Completes all required workload - reports - and data entry per Service and Medical Center policy
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday 8:00am-4:30pm - one evening per week & Sunday-Thursday 8:00am-4:30pm - one evening per week Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved