Occupational Therapist

Title: Occupational Therapist

State Role Title: 49233

Hiring Range: $86,252.00 to $119,028.00 - Pay to commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/csh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277 bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property, with a scheduled completion date of 2027.

CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the person’s individual needs, recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, preparation for court, and treatment for substance use.

Central State Hospital is recruiting for an Occupational Therapist to facilitate and co-facilitate Occupational Therapy services with adults 18 to 64 years of age who have serious mental illness, substance use histories, physical and intellectual deficits and who have experienced trauma. To plan and facilitate day, evening, weekend, and holiday therapeutic interventions that are functionally based, promote hope and recovery, and that assist our client’s return to his/her highest level of functioning in order to be successful in the community. To document on client’s attendance and progress according to hospital policy and departmental policy. To serve as an active member of the Interdisciplinary treatment team and provide information regarding client’s response to treatment and revise accordingly based on current functional level.

Department Mission Objective:

The Psychosocial Rehabilitative Services Department at Central State Hospital is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of creative art, recreational and occupational therapists, human services care specialists, pastoral care, administrative supports and barber/beautician services. As a team, we provide patients quality engagement opportunities through creative and evidence-based therapeutic interventions. We seek to recognize the uniqueness of each individual in our care and promote self-awareness of their strengths. We provide an outlet for the patients to engage in meaningful interventions while also exploring their own personal interests. The Rehabilitative Department promotes resiliency, autonomy, and empowerment through a structured and supportive environment. Our goal is to encourage recovery in the hospital that can continue to grow upon return to the community.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Successfully Perform the Job:

- Proficient in both verbal and written communication skills with staff, clients, community providers, and family members.
- Skilled in the ability to develop, plan, and implement occupational therapy interventions and groups utilizing a multi-modalities approach along with evidenced based treatment and trauma informed strategies that promote recovery and functional outcomes.
- Ability to clinically assess both psychosocial and physical deficits and implement occupational therapy interventions accordingly.
- Additional duties will include (but are not limited to) operating a state vehicle to include cars, wheelchair equipped minibus, and a 15-passenger van, participating in special unit activities (unit/dept/hospital), utilizing Therapeutic Options (TO) techniques with clients, and working irregular work week and hours when necessary and Awareness of safety and security procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

- Degree (grad/undergrad) from an accredited School of Occupational Therapy.
- National registration (or eligibility) and licensure (or eligibility) from Virginia State Board of Medicine to practice an OT.
- Work/internship experience dealing with various types of mental and physical disorders, people of all ages, and experience in evaluating, establishing treatm