Therapeutic Activities Aide (Local Government) (Part Time) - Bedford County MH/ID

Company: State of Pennsylvania
Location: Bedford
Posted on: April 24, 2025

Job Description:

THE POSITION

Thank you for viewing our job posting! At Bedford-Somerset Developmental & Behavioral Health Services (DBHS), our vision is for every person we serve to have a network of family, friends, advocates, and supportive services to live a full and productive life in our community. Learn more about us at www.dbhs.co

This opportunity is for a part-time/as needed Therapeutic Activities Aide to provide educational and recreational activities in a Community Residential Rehabilitation (CRR) program. This position also performs teaching and role modeling in personal hygiene, nutrition, safety, problem solving, interpersonal skills, and community integration. This is an opportunity to provide direct care duties by assisting residents with cooking, shopping, laundry, housekeeping, personal hygiene skills, medication management, money management, and public transportation.

Apply today and join us in serving the community!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position serves as a part-time/as needed Therapeutic Activities Aide (TAA) in the Community Residential Rehabilitation Services (CRRS) program. The CRRS is a residential setting in the community for consumers with chronic psychiatric disabilities. The CRRS is a homelike, non-institutional environment providing maximum opportunity for consumers to learn the necessary skills for independent living. Participate in the development of service plans and the planning, implementation, and evaluation of educational and recreational activities in accordance with the consumer's plan. This includes teaching and role modeling skills for consumers based on their individual needs.

This professional is responsible for providing direct care by assisting consumers with nutrition and cooking, shopping, laundry, housekeeping, and personal hygiene skills. This is an opportunity to assist residents in community services, family interactions, telephone use, generic services, and public transportation, in addition to assisting and instructing residents with medication and money management. Specific duties entail maintaining accurate pill counts, observing consumers for behavioral changes and responses or side effects to medications, and reporting observations to the service team and physician as appropriate. Additional duties include:

* Gathering data for the formal assessment of consumers strengths and needs and provide feedback to the CRRS service team.


* Participating in intra-disciplinary team meetings.


* Maintaining CRRS files and assisting with monthly reports as directed by the program director.


* Completing required consumer program plans, assessments, progress records and medication documentation, while also assisting in maintaining compliance with the CRRS 5310 Regulations.


* Maintaining general upkeep of the CRRS house and property, participating with monthly fire drills, and exercising the ability to make rapid decisions regarding immediate actions to be taken to ensure residents safety.


* Safely escorting consumers to daytime/nighttime programming in all weather conditions for the purpose of community activities, appointments, trips, grocery shopping, home visits, or work.


* Participating in the training process for new employees in addition to attending trainings in the areas of medication, fire safety, first aid, CPR, orientation, and any other designated mandatory trainings or meetings to assure compliance of the Residential Regulations and/or Program Requirements.



Work Schedule and Additional Information:

* Part-time employment, up to 28 hours per week.
* Hours will vary. Shift work may include weekends and holidays.
* On occasion, staff may need to work hours outside of the set work week to complete projects, meet work demands, or in the event of an emergency.
* Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
* 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:

* Six months as an Aide Trainee; or
* One year of experience working with persons with mental or physical disabilities; or
* Any 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.
* You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

* You must pass a background investigation.
* 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.


* This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
* Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.



How to Apply:

* Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be 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.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

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/test once for this posting.
* Your results will be provided via email.

Benefit packages are determined by the county and may vary. Please contact the applicable county human resource office directly to inquire about a specific benefit package.

01

Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Aide Trainee for six months or more full-time?

* Yes
* No

02

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 experience must also 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.

03

How much full-time experience do you possess working with individuals who have mental or physical disabilities?

* 1 year or more
* Less than one year
* None

04

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 experience must also 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.

05

How many semester credits of college coursework have you successfully completed?

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 www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

For additional information on foreign education credentials, please visit https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and 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.

* 30 credits or more
* Less than 30 credits
* None

06

Have you successfully completed a Nurse Aide or Nursing Assistant certification program?

* Yes
* No

07

If you answered 'yes' to the question above, please provide your certification number and expiration date in the text box below. If you answered 'no' to the question above, please type NA in the text box below

08

Have you successfully completed workshop training or continuing education classes that related to life skills such as menu planning, cooking, budgeting, etc.?

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 www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

For additional information on foreign education credentials, please visit https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and 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

09

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. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be 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 our FAQ page.

* Yes

10

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - CONDUCTS GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES

Conducts therapeutic activities such as arts and crafts, picnics, field trips, self-care skills training, activities of daily living training, musical activities, athletic games, exercises, leisure time activities, socialization activities, sensory stimulation as well as gross and fine motor activities, prevocational activities, sheltered employment, woodworking, assembly and packaging, and off-ground activities in therapeutic recreation, vocational adjustment, and/or occupational therapy.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

* A. I have independently conducted some of the therapeutic activities listed above.
* B. I have conducted some of the activities listed above under close supervision OR I have completed college coursework related to the activities listed above.
* C. I have conducted some of the activities listed above as a parent or family member.
* D. I have completed training related to the activities listed above.
* E. I have no experience

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 employer(s) where you gained this experience
* Your experience conducting group or individual therapeutic activities
* Your duties and level of responsibility

12

If you are claiming education/formal training related to this work behavior, please provide the requested information below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

* The Training Source
* The Course Title
* The Credits/Clock Hours You Earned

13

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - OBSERVES INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR AND RECORDS PROGRESS

Objectively observes an individual's behavior during all types of activities and records changes, improvements, and unusual, abnormal, or inappropriate behavior in an individual's record.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

* A. I have independently observed and recorded an individual's behavior during the activities as described above.
* B. I have observed some of the activities listed above under close supervision OR I have completed college coursework related to the activities listed above.
* C. I have observed some of the activities listed above as a parent or family member.
* D. I have completed training related to the activities listed above.
* E. I have no experience or training related to the activities listed above.

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 employer(s) where you gained this experience
* Your experience observing behavior and recording progress
* Your duties and level of responsibility

15

If you are claiming education/formal training related to this work behavior, please provide the requested information below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

* The Training Source
* The Course Title
* The Credits/Clock Hours You Earned

16

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - INSTRUCTS INDIVIDUALS ON APPROPRIATE SAFETY PRACTICES AND PRECAUTIONS AND MONITORS SAFETY CONCERNS

Instructs individuals on the use of supplies and equipment including scissors, electrical equipment, tools, etc. Monitors the safety of the individual's environment including fire safety, child-proofing objects, observing and cleaning up spills, etc.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

* A. I have independently instructed individuals on some of the activities listed above.
* B. I have instructed individuals on some of the activities listed above under close supervision OR I have completed college coursework related to the activities listed above.
* C. I have instructed individuals on some of the activities listed above as a parent or family member.
* D. I have completed training related to the activities listed above.
* E. I have no experience or training related to the activities listed above.

17

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 employer(s) where you gained this experience
* Your experience instructing individuals on safety practices and monitoring safety concerns
* Your duties and level of responsibility

18

If you are claiming education/formal training related to this work behavior, please provide the requested information below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

* The Training Source
* The Course Title
* The Credits/Clock Hours You Earned

19

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - TEACHES AND ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WITH DAILY LIVING ACTIVITIES

Teaches and assists individuals in basic living activities such as budgeting money, cleaning, cooking, shopping, childcare and hygiene to enable the individuals to live and/or work as independently as possible.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

* A. I have independently taught and assisted individuals with some of the activities listed above.
* B. I have taught and assisted individuals with some of the activities listed above under close supervision OR I have completed college coursework related to the activities listed above.
* C. I have taught and assisted individuals with some of the activities listed above as a parent or family member.
* D. I have completed training related to the activities listed above.
* E. I have no experience or training related to the activities listed above.

20

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 employer(s) where you gained this experience
* Your experience teaching/assisting with daily living activities
* Your duties and level of responsibility

21

If you are claiming education/formal training related to this work behavior, please provide the requested information below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

* The Training Source
* The Course Title
* The Credits/Clock Hours You Earned

22

WORK BEHAVIOR 5 - TEACHES AND ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS WITH DAILY LIVING SKILLS

Teaches and assists individuals advanced skills such as independent living, effective listening, problem solving, and conversational skills.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

* A. I have independently taught and assisted individuals with some of the activities listed above.
* B. I have taught and assisted individuals with some of the activities listed above under close supervision OR I have completed college coursework related to the activities listed above.
* C. I have taught and assisted individuals with some of the activities listed above as a parent or family member.
* D. I have completed training related to the activities listed above.
* E. I have no experience or training related to the activities listed above.

23

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 employer(s) where you gained this experience
* Your experience teaching/assisting with daily living skills
* Your duties and level of responsibility

24

If you are claiming education/formal training related to this work behavior, please provide the requested information below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

* The Training Source
* The Course Title
* The Credits/Clock Hours You Earned

25

WORK BEHAVIOR 6 - PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS WITH GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT WITH SOCIALIZATION SKILLS

Assists individuals in establishing and improving socialization skills, encourages individuals to participate in individual and group recreation or work activities, and encourages individuals to participate in community activities.

Levels of Performance

Select the Level of Performance that best describes your claim.

* A. I have independently provided guidance and assistance some of the activities listed above.
* B. I have provided guidance and assistance some of the activities listed above under close supervision OR I have completed college coursework related to the activities listed above.
* C. I have provided guidance and assistance some of the activities listed above as a parent or family member.
* D. I have completed training related to the activities listed above.
* E. I have no experience or training related to the activities listed above.

26

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 employer(s) where you gained this experience
* Your experience providing guidance and support with socialization
* Your duties and level of responsibility

27

If you are claiming education/formal training related to this work behavior, please provide the requested information below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

* The Training Source
* The Course Title
* The Credits/Clock Hours You Earned

Required Question

Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

Website http://www.employment.pa.gov

Keywords: State of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg , Therapeutic Activities Aide (Local Government) (Part Time) - Bedford County MH/ID, Government & Protective Services , Bedford, Pennsylvania