What are the responsibilities and job description for the WDVA Recreation Therapy Assistant (RAS 1), On-Call, Spokane Veterans Home position at State of Washington Dept. of Veterans Affairs?
Description
Are you passionate about giving back to the Veteran community and have professional or educational experience in therapeutic recreation? Here is your calling! The Spokane Veterans Home is hiring a Recreation Therapy Assistant (Recreation and Athletics Specialist 1) to coordinate and facilitate therapeutic recreation programs for our residents. Your role is crucial to the quality of life for our residents by ensuring their social, physical, cognitive, spiritual, emotional, and leisure needs are met.
If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of countless Veterans, apply today!
This position has been posted within the assigned pay range through Step L. Step M has not been published as this is considered the longevity step, in alignment with state HR compensation rules.
Position(s) at this location will also receive 5% Premium Pay for facilities open twenty-four hours per day. Employees must physically work at the facility 3 days per workweek to qualify. The 5% Premium Pay is in effect until June 29th, 2025.
At the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for more than 500,000 Veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to Veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star Families.
As a Recreation Therapy Assistant for the Spokane Veterans Home, you will facilitate group or one-on-one sessions of therapeutic recreational programs, including organizing group and individual recreational activities, planning for holidays and special events, and engaging in scheduled activities with residents for optimum participation.
Duties
Some of what you'll do:
- Provide input for activity calendar each month.
- Communicate supplies as needed; notify other disciplines of impacts to their programs.
- Work with volunteers assigned to recreation programs.
- Perform setup and teardown of program events, including decorating, moving tables, and pushing residents in wheelchairs to/from activities throughout the facility.
- Invite, encourage, and assist residents to programs.
- Assist with and facilitate holiday programs and special events.
- Decorate facility in conjunction with holidays and seasons.
- Support Recreation Department by assisting with special events and parties.
- Arrange monthly entertainment for resident birthday parties.
- Write quarterly, annual, and change of therapy notes to help assess individuals' progress toward recreation therapy goals.
- And more!
Qualifications
Required:
- A combination of education and professional experience may be considered on a year-for-year basis. Professional experience must be relevant to the position.
- Bachelor's degree involving major study in either (a) recreation, (b) music, drama, or physical education, or (c) psychology, sociology, or education with a minor in recreation, physical education, music or drama.
- Three (3) years of experience as a recreational assistant.
- Two (2) years of college in recreation of equivalent AND two (2) years of work experience in recreational or intramural sports programs may substitute for the educational requirements.
Special Requirements:
- Must be able to pass a DSHS BCCU Background Check every two (2) years in accordance with WDVA Policy 615.000 Background Checks. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
- Must comply with annual Tuberculin Screening in accordance with DVA policy 670.000 Tuberculosis Testing.
- Requires medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the Washington Industrial Safety and Act standards. Must be able to wear a respirator, medical gloves, gowns, eye protection, and other personal protection as required by a job or task.
- Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs. and be capable of reaching a minimum of 36" using proper technique to stock shelves and access supplies. Employee must also be able to push or pull with sufficient strength and walk, sit, and bend in an unrestricted manner during the entire workday.
- Must be able to obtain a Commercial Driver's License with passenger endorsement within 90 days of hire to drive a wheelchair vehicle/bus.
- Must remain current in CPR after hire.
- Must be able and keep up-to-date a Washington Food Handlers Card.
- Must have a valid driver's license.
- Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
- Candidates who are offered a job with WDVA must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
Supplemental Information
Application Process:
Top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.
Please include the following documents with your application:
1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.
Other Information:
- This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.
Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or Veteran status.
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.
The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.
If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency, please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.
