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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00009564 |
Description Activated On: 8/24/2026 2:28:54 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. This is professional work in the field of therapeutic activities at a regional Forensic Unit on the grounds of Torrance State Hospital. An employee in this classification designs, implements and evaluates therapeutic activities segments of individual treatment program plans to further the comprehensive treatment/rehabilitation of forensic patients with a mental disability who have been placed through the criminal justice or corrections systems for diagnosis, evaluation and intensive treatment. Programs are characterized by activities which overlap or combine various aspects of therapeutic recreation, occupational therapy, or vocational adjustment services. The employee conducts formal patient assessments of functioning levels, strengths and needs and formulates suggested methods for responding to assessed needs for presentation to a multi-disciplinary treatment team. The employee participates with the treatment team in the development of individual patient treatment plans and selects therapeutic activities to meet individual needs identified by the comprehensive treatment team assessment. The employee monitors and reports patient progress to the team and adapts therapeutic activities as dictated by the changing needs of the patient. An important aspect of the work is the responsibility for the care, custody and control of forensic patients with a mental disability participating in activities programs, and the ongoing review and evaluation of their needs and progress toward achieving program goals. Work is performed independently under general supervision and is reviewed by a supervisor for quality and achievement of therapeutic activities program goals through observation, conferences and reports. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates therapeutic activities segment of comprehensive individual patient treatment plans provided to Forensic patients who have been placed through the criminal justice system for diagnosis, evaluation and intensive treatment in order to provide therapeutic programming. Develops specifically planned therapeutic activities, goals and objectives in order to implement therapeutic activities segments of comprehensive individual treatment plans. Conducting patient groups, leisure time activities, escorting patients to and from therapeutic programming, providing needed equipment at site prior to start of activities. Supervising and monitoring patients during these program times, in order to maintain care, custody and control of patients assigned to activities within the secure perimeter. Assessing patients’ activity needs by interviewing patients, making recommendations for activity involvement, entering assessments into chart, and updating the assessment in order to provide activity programming which best meets the needs of the patients. Plan, schedule and conduct therapeutic treatment programs aimed at improving community readiness and pre-discharge functioning in specific patient populations and assessing referred patients for inclusion in these modules. Participate in the multi-disciplinary treatment team process by attending treatment team meetings. Providing team with information on patients’ behavior while in activities. Performing duties as prescribed in order to provide each patient with a multi-disciplinary and individualized treatment plan. Designs individual treatment goals for patients based on assessed needs, strengths and interests. Functions as a Patient Representative. Completes monthly chart audits. Complete required information in patients’ charts by writing progress notes, goal notes as defined by policy, unusual incidents, etc. in order to comply with Department, Medicare/CMS guidelines, and Hospital Policies and Procedures. Complete required and/or elective in-service sessions by attending required annual courses on CPR, AED resuscitator, assaultive patients, and scheduled out-service training, in order to meet Department and Hospital safety policies and to expand knowledge in the field of Therapeutic Recreation. The Therapeutic Activities Worker must demonstrate knowledge of principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patients' status. Must interpret the appropriate information needed to identify patients’ requirements relative to his/her age specific needs and to provide the care needed by early adult, middle adult and elderly adult groups. Provide active treatment groups daily while understanding the needs of each patient. By looking at each individual patient to identify their strengths and weaknesses, groups will be assigned accordingly with that information in mind. Providing therapeutic groups such as Anger Management, Life Skills, Money Management, Men’s or Women’s Issues, Leisure Activities/Gym Activities, and various arts & crafts/expressions groups. Provide information for the department's monthly report by completing daily activity reports; submitting a written report of special programs and problems that occurred; and statistical data in order to ensure supervisors have accurate reports of patient's attendance and problems encountered during activities. Maintain a therapeutic environment by performing housekeeping duties, decorating various areas for holiday functions, and moving and replacing Therapeutic Activity equipment and supplies in order to provide a therapeutic, healthful, and pleasing environment for patients attending Therapeutic Activity Functions. Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned. Purpose and standards will be given at time of assignment. Demonstrate competencies in application of techniques and maintain certification in Advance Mandt Training. All work will be supervised by the Forensic Therapeutic Activities Supervisor and overseen by the CFE of the Forensic Center. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. The FTAW will make daily decisions on patient group materials regarding safety and security, group topics appropriate for their patient groups level of functioning and in accordance with curriculum guidelines and will also address changes in patient needs, as they arise. FTAW decisions will be reviewed by the FTAS for appropriateness and further guidance will be provided, as needed, by the FTAS and the CFE. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. CPR for the Professional Rescuer from the American Red Cross 3. First Aid and Safety Certificate from the American Red Cross 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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