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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00031873 |
Description Activated On: 10/20/2025 10:58:59 AM |
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. The person holding this position is considered to be an essential employee. The Therapeutic Activities Aide (TAA) is a non-professional employee whose major responsibilities involve carrying out activities in the Therapeutic Recreation Department. Specifically, an employee in this class facilitates individual/group activities as prescribed in patients’ treatment plans, observes, reviews and reports on patients’ progress towards individualized goals, and supports therapeutic recreation operations through escort, resource/supply management, and safety monitors. This position is under the immediate direction of the Therapeutic Activities Supervisor reporting to the Therapeutic Activities Director (TAD) and is overseen by the Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) Director. |
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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. The primary responsibilities of an employee in this class is to support operations that fall under the Therapeutic Recreation Department and to facilitate individual/group activities as prescribed in patients’ individualized treatment plan or provide patients with opportunities to engage in meaningful leisure opportunities that match their needs/interests. 1. This position emphasizes the need for daily flexibility in order to ensure that the most efficient care and treatment is provided. 2. The employee observes patient behavior and records progress in the patient’s individual records of care and documents activity participation in accordance with established hospital policies and procedures and with regard to established treatment goals. 3. Ensures the safe escort of patients to program buildings and specific areas within those buildings. 4. Communicates patient participation and progress to Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Teams through Therapeutic Recreation Treatment Team representatives. 5. Accepts direction and instruction from therapeutic activities workers in the facilitation of individual and group therapeutic activities and program/activity operations. 6. Participates collaboratively with supervision to improve his or her performance and to plan developmental goals for further improvement. 7. Responsible for maintaining assigned areas in a clean and safe condition to ensure a hazard-free environment. 8. Maintains records and documentation necessary to accomplish reporting functions. 9. Attends meetings, seminars and conferences as assigned for continuing education and information. 10. Follows the policies and procedures of CSSH, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and all State Federal regulatory bodies in the efficient operating of the TR department. 11. Teaches and assists individuals in basic living activities such as budgeting money, cleaning, cooking, shopping and hygiene to enable the individuals to live and/or work as independently as possible. 12. Performs other duties as assigned. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1. Communicate effectively in both verbal and written English. 2. Follow the directions of superiors in the chain of command. 3. Listen to input from throughout the chain of command as well as patients, families, and other therapeutic activities staff. 4. Think creatively and respectfully offer the product of such thinking to the chain of command for consideration. 5. Effectively prioritize crises, tasks, meetings, documentation and other duties. 6. Assist in emergency situations (status Orange, Status Blue, Status Red etc.). 7. Traverse CSSH campus. 8. Sign out Shuttle to drive patients to activities and programs. 9. Gain access to activity areas, sets-up, moves and arranges furniture and equipment in activity areas. 10. Move wheelchairs and Geri-chairs as appropriate. 11. Participate in and assists patients in gross physical activities e.g. kickball, volleyball etc. 12. Conduct physical exercise activities as ordered by a medical physician. 13. Maintain records as mandated by legal and regulatory requirements. 14. Be alert at all times to potential life safety and human behavior dangers and hazards and correct if appropriate and/or report same to relevant supervisory staff. 15. Comprehend and comply with all relevant Hospital Policies and Procedures. 16. Communicate with patients, co-workers and supervisors to receive directives, hear suggestions and complaints and to deliver instructions, discuss ideas and give directions. 17. Obtain and maintain Crisis Response/Intervention and CPR certification, and appropriately utilizes skills. 18. Adhere to DHS, OMHSAS and CSSH and external regulatory agency regulations. |
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 person assigned to this position does not supervise other staff; however, duties involve the monitoring and supervision of patients within activities and programs. The person in this position makes patient care decisions based on training and job knowledge, and in consultation with other professional staff and supervisors. |
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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. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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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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