Therapeutic Activities Aide (Local Government) – Bedford County MH/ID

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This opportunity is for an 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. Provides direct care duties by assisting residents with cooking, shopping, laundry, housekeeping, personal hygiene skills, medication management, money management, and public transportation.
Full-time positions include excellent benefits! Healthcare coverage, pension plan, flexible spending account, and paid holidays. Family friendly agency with paid time off, paid sick time, employee assistance program, and family medical leave.
Apply today to join us in serving the community!</undefined>

This position serves as a Therapeutic Activity Aide 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 developing consumers service plans in a residential setting. Participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of educational, therapeutic, and recreational activities in accordance with the consumer’s plan. Conduct activities in group settings or one-on-one as needed. This includes teaching and role modeling skills for consumers based on their individual needs and may include: personal hygiene, nutrition, daily living skills, safety practices and precautions, problem solving, effective listening, conversational skills, interpersonal skills, community integration and outcome actions planning. Therapeutic and recreational activities may include exercising, socialization activities, organized team building activities, etc. Model and instruct consumers on safe use of supplies and equipment to include tools, cleaning supplies, kitchen appliances, and electronics. Responsible for providing direct care by instructing and assisting consumers with nutrition cooking, shopping, laundry, housekeeping, and personal hygiene skills. </undefined>
Assist residents in community services, family interactions, telephone use, generic services, and public transportation. Assist and instruct residents with medication and money management. Participate in medication trainings and updates. Keep accurate pill counts, contact physicians or pharmacies regarding changes and side effects when needed. Observes consumers for behavioral changes, responses to medications, side effects of medication, objective and subjective signs and reports to the service team. May educate/assist consumers with scheduling medical appointments. Participates in gathering data for the formal assessment of consumers strengths and needs and provides feedback to the CRRS service team. Participates in the intra-disciplinary team meetings to report on consumer progress in meeting services goals and objectives. Maintain CRRS files and assist with monthly reports as directed by the Program Supervisor. Complete required consumer program plans, assessments, progress records and medication documentation. Assist in maintaining compliance with the CRRS 5310 Regulations. Responsible for the general upkeep and monitoring of the CRRS house and property to include the building, physical plant and grounds, fire protection and safety, living/sleeping quarters, furnishings and equipment’s, housekeeping and maintenance. Participate with monthly fire drills and to make rapid decisions regarding immediate actions to be taken to ensure residents safety. Responsible for cleaning bedrooms as they become empty. Escort consumers safely to daytime/nighttime programming in all weather conditions; i.e.; rain, snow and at night, for the purpose of community activities, appointments, trips, grocery shopping, personal shopping, home visits and/or work. Locate and read DBHS Vehicle Procedures/Policies to assure safety and welfare of all consumers when performing escort duties. Participates and assist in the training process of new employees under the direction of the Program Supervisor. Required to attend trainings in the areas of medication, fire safety, first aid, CPR and orientation and any other designated mandatory training or meeting to assure compliance of the Residential Regulations and/or Program Requirements. Perform other related duties as required.</undefined>

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment – 40 hours/week
• Shift work including 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.

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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:

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.

• 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.