Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00107919	Description Activated On: 10/19/2026 8:51:07 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.

This position is assigned to the Therapeutic Activities Department of Torrance State Hospital. An employee in this class is responsible for carrying out various patient activities related to therapeutic activities for individuals or groups. Work involves providing instruction and assistance to patients in carrying out therapeutic activities prescribed in individualized treatment plan. The employee assists professional therapeutic activities staff in organizing and conducting various therapeutic activities. The employee observes, reviews and reports on the progress of patients in achieving individualized goals in aspects of therapeutic activities. Ages of patients range from 18 years through 80+.

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.

This position is assigned to the Therapeutic Activities Department of Torrance State Hospital. An employee in this class is responsible for carrying out various patient activities related to therapeutic activities for individuals or groups. Work involves providing instruction and assistance to patients in carrying out therapeutic activities prescribed in individualized treatment plan. The employee assists professional therapeutic activities staff in organizing and conducting various therapeutic activities. The employee observes, reviews and reports on the progress of patients in achieving individualized goals in aspects of therapeutic activities. Ages of patients range from 18 years through 80+.

Work Effort Statement:

Carries out group or individual patient activity sessions such as, but not limited to, recreation, socialization, sensory awareness, leisure activities, community trips, etc., assuming responsibility for patients' needs and safety.

Escorts patients to and from therapeutic activities area(s).

Records attendance of patients, provides documentation on patients' progress towards established treatment goals per established guidelines.

Participates in gathering data for the formal assessment of patients’ assets and needs, and provides feedback to professional staff regarding therapeutic activities techniques to modify or maintain patient functioning and/or behavior.

Maintains work area/equipment at optimal working conditions, promotes safety/cleanliness, informs supervisors, as necessary, of any needs.

Establishes effective and cooperative working relations with other staff, maintaining objectivity and diplomacy.

Participates in in-service training programs in therapeutic activities and as assigned, participates in department/unit staff meetings.

Participates as a member of a team conducting/assisting in special building events, evenings, and weekend ground-wide activities as scheduled.

Performs related duties as required to meet needs of department and hospital in compliance with DHS, Torrance State Hospital and departmental rules, regulations and guidelines.

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.

Patient care decisions are made only in consultation with the supervisor or team director.
Assignment conflicts are resolved by the supervisor.

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.   N/A

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.   N/A

5.   N/A

6.   N/A

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Establishes and maintains a therapeutic approach and relationship with patients
2.	Develops and maintains effective and cooperative working relationships with other professional and non-professional staff
3.	Directs the work of students, volunteers, in providing therapeutic activities services/programs.
4.	Clearly expresses ideas and information, both orally and in writing, or in any other way, to perform the essential functions of this job.
5.	Gathers, analyzes, and evaluates information, maintains necessary administrative and clinical records, requisitions supplies/equipment needed for the
6.	Interprets and applies manual policies, procedures, regulations. Understands and interprets oral and written instructions, communicates with hospital
7.	Conducts therapeutic activities segments of individual program plans in accordance with patients' functional levels, strengths, needs.
8.	Observes and reports, orally and in writing or in any other manner, patient behavior, attitude, physical condition, progress toward established treatm
9.	Receive and maintain certification and competency in CPR.
10.	Receive and maintain certification in basic crisis intervention techniques, currently MANDT