What are the responsibilities and job description for the Therapeutic Activities Worker - Norristown State Hospital position at Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
THE POSITION
Are you inspired to bring encouragement and energy to patients who benefit from structured therapeutic activities? As a Therapeutic Activities Worker for the Department of Human Services, you will guide patients through activities that support emotional, social, and physical well-being at Norristown State Hospital. This position offers a chance to help people reconnect with hobbies, interests, and healthy routines. Step into a role where your creativity and support can brighten each day.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This role focuses on planning and leading therapeutic activities that help patients strengthen skills, express themselves, and take part in meaningful experiences. It supports patient progress through regular assessments, documentation, and teamwork with treatment staff. As a Therapeutic Activities Worker, you will perform the following duties:
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Are you inspired to bring encouragement and energy to patients who benefit from structured therapeutic activities? As a Therapeutic Activities Worker for the Department of Human Services, you will guide patients through activities that support emotional, social, and physical well-being at Norristown State Hospital. This position offers a chance to help people reconnect with hobbies, interests, and healthy routines. Step into a role where your creativity and support can brighten each day.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This role focuses on planning and leading therapeutic activities that help patients strengthen skills, express themselves, and take part in meaningful experiences. It supports patient progress through regular assessments, documentation, and teamwork with treatment staff. As a Therapeutic Activities Worker, you will perform the following duties:
- Activity Planning: Design and lead individual and group activities that match patient needs and interests
- Patient Assessment: Conduct assessments to understand patient abilities, strengths, and goals
- Progress Documentation: Monitor and record patient participation and progress in treatment records
- Program Support: Organize supplies, equipment, and space to support therapeutic programs
- Team Collaboration: Attend treatment team meetings and provide updates on patient progress
- Community Engagement: Assist patients in community re-entry programs to promote skill development
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
- Work hours are 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch and rotating weekends. Your schedule may change based on operational needs.
- Travel and overtime: As needed
- Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
- Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- Four years of experience providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities; or
- A bachelor’s degree with major coursework in therapeutic recreation; physical education; vocational rehabilitation; vocational education or counseling; art, music, dance, or occupational therapies; or a related human services field; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training.
- Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
- You must meet the PA residency requirement . For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
- A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination.
- This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
- Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date . Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S.
- 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.