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Therapeutic Activities Worker - Norristown State Hospital

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, PAvia Commonwealth of PA
Do you want to inspire confidence and brighten someone's day? The Therapeutic Activities Worker at Norristown State Hospital plays a key role in supporting patient well-being. This position brings creativity and structure to daily activities that help patients grow and succeed. You will guide meaningful programs that encourage social interaction and personal progress. Join a team that values compassion, teamwork, and positive change!

This position supports the therapeutic goals of Norristown State Hospital by providing structured and individualized activities for patients. The role helps patients build skills, explore interests, and progress toward treatment goals. As a Therapeutic Activities Worker, you will perform the following duties:

  • Patient Assessment: Conduct assessments to identify strengths, needs, interests, and abilities for treatment planning
  • Progress Monitoring: Document patient participation and progress in treatment records
  • Program Reporting: Prepare and submit monthly reports on activities, attendance, and quality measures
  • Team Participation: Attend treatment team meetings to share professional observations and feedback
  • Community Support: Assist patients with community readiness activities to help them apply leisure skills outside the hospital
  • Activity Preparation: Organize supplies, equipment, and spaces needed for therapeutic programs

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

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. This may change based on operational needs.
  • Overtime and travel as operationally necessary
  • Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position. 
  • Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. 
  • FREE parking!
  • You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

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.
Other Requirements:
  • 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.

Legal Requirements: 

  • 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.
How to Apply:
  • 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.

Veterans:

  • 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.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

  • 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

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.

  • 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.
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