THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut, Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is currently seeking a qualified and experienced individual for the position of Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant 2 to join our team within the Physical Medical Rehab Department.

ABOUT US

For over 160 years, DVA has been caring for its veterans and their dependents. As a Department, we believe in “serving those who have served.” This is accomplished through our: Office of Advocacy and Assistance, Residential Facility, Healthcare Center, and Cemetery and Burial Services.

The DVA has supported Connecticut Veterans and continues this tradition with Residential and Healthcare programming on our campus in Rocky Hill. There are two paths for residency at the DVA:

• Residential Facility: offers temporary, supportive living with programming designed to return Connecticut Veterans to independent living in the community;
• Sgt. John L. Levitow Healthcare Center: a state-of-the-art medical facility that offers long-term care for veterans with chronic, disabling conditions who require 24-hour assistance.

When you walk through the doors of the Healthcare Center (HCC), one immediately feels a sense of community, comfort, and camaraderie. Our highly trained staff is dedicated to providing compassionate care to meet the unique needs of Veteran patients, built on the foundation of integrity, honor, and respect. We pride ourselves on fostering these qualities as we honor Veteran patients for their service and encourage the innate bond between them.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
• rehabilitation principles and practices;
• physical and psychosocial disorders and their relationship to therapeutic techniques;
• individual and group dynamics;
• therapy equipment and supplies including proper care and maintenance;
• Considerable
• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
• encourage, instruct and work effectively with individuals;
• incorporate one or more art forms or crafts applicable to therapy program;
• carry out instructions;
• observe, report and chart individual behavior or response;
• discern program results ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience working with individuals exhibiting intellectual, emotional, or motor status disorders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been as a Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant 1 or its equivalent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• An Associate’s degree in a recognized therapeutic discipline may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of three (3) years. In this case the Special Requirement must still be met.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility).
• Experience working with patients with ROM (range of motion deficits) and joint contractures.
• Experience writing progress notes in medical record using medical terminology.
• Experience working on an interdisciplinary team with supervision from a professional therapist.
• Experience with Restorative/ Maintenance Programs such as ADL (Activities of Daily Living).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a current certification as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI), Red Cross Advanced Life Saving, Red Cross Life Guard and/or in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to be certified in accordance with Department of Developmental Services regulations for the administration of medication by certified unlicensed personnel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

JOB DUTIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Works in a variety of rehabilitation services;
• Assists in planning rehabilitation activities and programs to improve or correct individual disorders;
• Participates in interdisciplinary treatment teams;
• Assumes some responsibility for training new employees and students;
• Observes, reports and charts individual behavior or response.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state health care facility or community based health care program at a paraprofessional level this class is accountable for implementing and providing feedback regarding patient/individual progress in support of treatment plans designed by a professional therapist to improve or correct disorders in the intellectual, emotional or motor status of the individuals.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Works in a variety of rehabilitation services;
• Implements rehabilitation activities including but not limited to life skills and recreational groups;
• Range of motion and exercise programs and recreational outings and activities;
• Assists in planning rehabilitation activities and programs to improve or correct individual disorders;
• Participates in interdisciplinary treatment teams;
• Under the direction of a professional therapist, provides assistance and support to direct care and day services staff in program implementation and proper use of therapy equipment;
• Assumes some responsibility for training new employees and students;
• Observes, reports and charts individual behavior or response;
• Prepares records and reports;
• Cleans areas and maintains equipment and supplies;
• Conducts minor repairs on adaptive equipment;
• In consultation with a professional therapist may modify, design and fabricate customized adaptive equipment;
• May prepare treatment plans and screen individuals under supervision of a professional therapist;
• May transport and escort individuals off grounds;
• Performs related duties as required.