Therapeutic Activities Aide - Torrance State Hospital

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; New Stanton (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services seeks a Therapeutic Activities Aide to engage Torrance State Hospital patients in meaningful, healing activities and to help them move toward treatment goals. You will lead group and individual sessions, support participation in prescribed activities, and collaborate with clinical staff to support treatment goals.

This is a full-time role with a 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM schedule, every 3rd weekend off, and no telework.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience as an Aide Trainee or equivalent.
• You must meet PA residency requirements.
• A conditional offer requires satisfactory criminal history reports and medical/drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Lead activity sessions and support patient participation in prescribed activities.
• Record attendance, observe progress, and document information for treatment goals.
• Collaborate with professional staff and participate in assessments and team discussions.
• Maintain safe, clean work areas and report any concerns to supervisors.
• Participate in special events, unit programs, and hospital-wide activities.

Job description

As a Therapeutic Activities Aide with the Department of Human Services (DHS), you will help patients at Torrance State Hospital stay engaged and motivated. This position gives you the opportunity to assist with activities that support healing and positive development. You will play a key role in creating safe, welcoming, and purposeful activity sessions. Step into a role where your guidance helps patients move forward with confidence.

This position supports therapeutic activity sessions that help patients build skills, improve well-being, and reach treatment goals. It involves working closely with patients and staff to create meaningful and well-organized activities. As a Therapeutic Activities Aide, you will perform the following duties:

• Activity Support: Lead group and individual sessions such as recreation, socialization, sensory awareness, and leisure activities
• Patient Assistance: Provide instruction and guidance to help patients participate in prescribed therapeutic activities
• Progress Reporting: Record attendance, observe progress, and document information that supports treatment goals
• Team Collaboration: Share observations with professional staff and participate in assessments and team discussions
• Safety Maintenance: Maintain clean work areas, monitor equipment, and report concerns to supervisors
• Event Participation: Take part in special events, unit programs, and hospital-wide activities

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours are 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM, with a 30-minute lunch. You will be scheduled 7 days on with 2 days off, then 8 days on with 4 days off. You will have every 3rd weekend off.
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• Six months of experience as an Aide Trainee (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Six months of work experience providing care to individuals requiring assistance with daily activities; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

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

• 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.
• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination and a drug screening.

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.