Therapeutic Activities Worker - Norristown State Hospital (2nd shift)
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Therapeutic Activities Worker - Norristown State Hospital (2nd shift)
Salary
$51,971.00 - $79,062.00 Annually
Location
Montgomery County, PA
Job Type
Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number
CS-2025-31474-31920
Department
Department of Human Services
Division
HS Norristown St Hosp
Opening Date
08/15/2025
Closing Date
8/28/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code
31920
Position Number
00133883
Union
SEIU Local 668
Bargaining Unit
F4
Pay Group
ST06
Bureau / Division Code
00210671
Bureau / Division
Norristown State Hospital
Worksite Address
1415 Sterigere Street
City
Norristown, Pennsylvania
Zip Code
19401
Contact Name
Talent Management Division
Contact Email
ra-oahhsintakesec@pa.gov
Description
Benefits
Questions
THE POSITION
Are you looking for a rewarding career opportunity that utilizes your therapeutic skills? Do you want to lead recreational activities and help patients achieve treatment goals? The Department of Human Services (DHS), Norristown State Hospital is seeking a dedicated Therapeutic Activities Worker. Our staff delivers therapeutic services to some of our most vulnerable citizens. If you want to join a top-notch multidisciplinary care team, take on rewarding challenges, and experience professional growth, then we encourage you to apply today!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
As a Therapeutic Activities Worker, you will provide individual and group therapeutic services to patients. You will promote comprehensive treatment for patients by utilizing arts and crafts, drama, dance, games, exercises, sports, literature, current events, music, horticulture, and social activities. You will also conduct formal patient assessments to determine functional levels, strengths, and needs interests to design specific therapeutic methods that will help achieve treatment plan goals. This role requires monitoring and documenting patient progress and the ability to a ssist patients in community re-entry programs. In addition, you will submit monthly reports, attend multidisciplinary treatment team meetings, and p rocure and organize supplies, equipment and space for therapeutic activities programs.
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in th e position description (https://careers.employment.pa.gov/pd/PD_NEOGOV.asp?p=00133883) .
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
Work hours are 12:30 PM to 8:30 PM, with a 30-minute lunch. You will work every other weekend 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Your schedule may change based on operational needs.
Overtime and travel as needed
Free parking
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
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 (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx) . For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx) and click on Residency.
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 willnotbe 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.
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.
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/testoncefor this posting.
Your results will be provided via email.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this shortvideo (https://www.youtube.com/embed/HtcSRnndflc?rel=0) !
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring ourbenefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visitwww.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Have you successfully completed or are you within three months of completing a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation; physical education; vocational rehabilitation, vocational education or counseling; art, music, dance, or occupational therapies; or a related human services field?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting visitingwww.naces.organd clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
For additional information on foreign education credentials, please visithttps://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3and click on Other Information. You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
Yes
No
02
If you are within three months completing a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation; physical education; vocational rehabilitation, vocational education or counseling; art, music, dance, or occupational therapies; or a related human services field, on what date do you expect to graduate? If this does not apply to you, please @type N/A in the text box.
03
How much college coursework have you completed in therapeutic recreation; education; vocational rehabilitation, education, or counseling; therapy (art, dance, music, occupational, physical, vocational, recreation, etc.); anthropology; counseling; criminology; gerontology; human behavior; psychology; social work/social welfare; sociology; professional nursing; or occupational or physical rehabilitation?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting visitingwww.naces.organd clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
For additional information on foreign education credentials, please visithttps://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3and click on Other Information. You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
120 credits or more
90 but less than 120 credits
60 but less than 90 credits
30 but less than 60 credits
Less than 30 credits
None
04
How many years of full-time experience in providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities do you possess?
4 years or more
3 but less than 4 years
2 but less than 3 years
1 but less than 2 years
Less than 1 year
None
05
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experiencemustalso be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, @type N/A in the text box below.
06
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. Youmustcomplete the applicationandanswer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents willnotbe reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.
Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training.The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered.In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.
If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to ourFAQ page (https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx) .
Yes
07
WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - DEVELOP OBJECTIVES AND MAINTAIN RECORDS
Develop specifically planned therapeutic activities goals and objectives to implement the therapeutic activities segments of comprehensive individual program plans. Maintain administrative and clinical records of therapeutic activities services planned and provided to meet departmental requirements.
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.
A. I have experience developing therapeutic activities goals and objectives to implement segments of individual program plans, and maintaining administrative or clinical records of therapeutic activities services planned and provided to meet departmental requirements.
B. I have experience developing goals and objectives to implement segments of individual program plans and maintaining administrative or clinical records, in a field other than therapeutic activities services.
C. I have experience maintaining administrative or clinical records of services planned and provided.
D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to therapeutic recreation or vocational rehabilitation.
E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.
08
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, @type N/A in the box below.
The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
Your experience developing goals and objectives or maintaining records
The field your experience is in
Your specific duties and responsibilities
09
If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to the college coursework, please provide the requested information in the text box below. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below. If you indicated you have no training related to this work behavior, @type N/A in the box below.
College/University
Course Title
Credits/Clock Hours
10
WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - MEETING TREATMENT PLAN GOALS
Provide instruction, direction, and support to individuals involved in therapeutic activities services to encourage progress in relation to treatment plan goals.
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.
A. I have experience providing instruction, direction, or support to individuals involved in therapeutic activities services to encourage progress in relation to treatment plan goals.
B. I have experience providing instruction, direction, or support to individuals in a group or home setting to encourage progress in relation to treatment plan goals.
C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to occupational therapy.
D. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior.
11
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, @type N/A in the box below.
The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
Your experience providing instruction, direction or support to individuals
Was your experience therapeutic activity related, in a group or home setting, etc.
Your specific duties and responsibilities
12
If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to the college coursework, please provide the requested information in the text box below. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below. If you indicated you have no training related to this work behavior, @type N/A in the box below.
College/University
Course Title
Credits/Clock Hours
13
WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - TEAM MEETINGS
Attend multi-disciplinary team meetings to recommend the use of specific therapeutic activities methods for individual program plans.
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.
A. I have attended multi-disciplinary team meetings to recommend the use of specific therapeutic activities methods for individual program plans.
B. I have attended multi-disciplinary team meetings in a field other than therapeutic activities services and made recommendations.
C. I have attended multi-disciplinary team meetings to report patient/individual progress in meeting activity goals and objectives.
D. I have NO experience related to this work behavior.
14
In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, @type N/A in the box below.
The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
Your experience recommending the use of methods for plans or making recommendations
The team meetings you have attended related to therapeutic activities or other
Required Question
Employer
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Address
613 North Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120
Website
http://www.employment.pa.gov
