Recreation Therapy Assistant I - Fitzsimons Veterans Community Living Center - Aurora, CO

Department Information

This position is open to current Colorado residents only. Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Residential and Reintegration Services Colorado Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimons Colorado Veterans Community Living Center (VCLC) at Fitzsimons is a beautiful 180-bed, skilled nursing facility serving Colorado’s veterans. We strive to honor and respect those living in our community through companionship and person-centered care while providing a comfortable and safe place to live. At Fitzsimons, we provide long-term care, short-term rehab, and a secured memory care neighborhood, and are conveniently located on the medical campus with UC Hospital and the Aurora VA Medical Center. Fitzsimons celebrates a low 14% staff turnover rate and substantial longevity among staff.

Visit us online at: www.colorado.gov/cdhs/veteranshomes/fitzsimons

Description of Job

You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times.

The shift covered by this posting will be Friday - Tuesday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Please note: Shifts and work arrangements are subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

The Therapy Assistant I will plan, organize, and facilitate a program of activities to meet the cultural, social, educational, recreational, psychological, physical, and spiritual needs and interests of the residents of your assigned neighborhood(s). To afford the resident personal enjoyment and satisfaction and to develop a feeling of usefulness and belonging. To encourage each resident to strive for restoration to self-care, maintenance of resumption of normal activities, and maintenance of an optimal level of psychosocial function. To promote opportunities to engage in normal pursuits, including religious activities of the residents’ choice. To assist the facility in acknowledging and providing an individualized leisure routine that meets each individual’s needs.

Additionally, as a Therapy Assistant I, you can expect to:

• Design and facilitate engaging daily recreational programs tailored to meet the unique needs of the residents, including cognitive, physical, spiritual, and creative activities.
• Develop comprehensive neighborhood activity calendars for supervisor approval, ensuring a robust and varied schedule of events.
• Deliver compassionate 1-on-1 therapeutic programming (e.g., sensory stimulation, artistic expression, wheelchair walks) aligned with Clinical Therapist care plans.
• Diligently track and document daily program attendance, activity refusals, independent pursuits, and therapeutic goal responses.
• Coordinate event schedules, locations, and special requests seamlessly with nursing, dietary, laundry, and housekeeping departments.
• Source necessary program supplies and responsibly manage the department purchasing card within established budgets and state guidelines.
• Organize, conduct, and safely supervise off-site excursions and community outings chosen by the residents.
• Actively participate in staff and committee meetings while completing required Cornerstone and Relias training modules.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience Only Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

• None

Education and Experience:

• None

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• FULL BACKGROUND CHECK: This position will have direct contact with vulnerable persons (as defined by C.R.S.27-90-111: “Direct contact” means providing face-to-face care, training, supervision, counseling, consultation, or medication assistance to vulnerable persons, regardless of the level of supervision of the department employee. “Direct contact” may include positions in which persons have access to or unsupervised time with clients or patients, including but not limited to maintenance personnel, housekeeping staff, kitchen staff, and security personnel.)

• Full background checks include:

• CBI & FBI fingerprint check, Colorado Court Database check, Medicare Fraud Database, TRAILS Database check.

• This position will also provide direct care to vulnerable adults requiring a CAPS check (as defined by C.R.S. 26-3.1-101, position provides services & support care to at-risk/vulnerable adults including case management, clergy, physical or mental health services, safety or welfare services)

• This position requires State of Colorado residenc…