Recreational Therapist

Title: Recreational Therapist

State Role Title: 49231

Hiring Range: $51,175.00 to $70,622.00; Pay to commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: 3

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.

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 abuse.

Central State Hospital is recruiting for a Recreational Therapist who's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, client functional evaluations using modality specific assessments and observations, and quality recreation therapy services via groups and 1:1 interventions to adults with serious mental illness, 18 to 65 years of age who have serious mental illness, addiction issues, physical and intellectual deficits and who have experienced trauma. Planning, facilitating and co-facilitating of day, evening, weekend, special events and holiday therapeutic interventions that are functionally based, promote hope and recovery, and that assist our clients 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 and department policy. To serve as an active member of the Interdisciplinary treatment team and provide information regarding client's response to treatment and revise approaches accordingly based on current functional level. To provide cross coverage as needed to all service areas.

Minimum Qualifications

- Degree (graduate or undergraduate) from an accredited school of Recreation Therapy with completed internships is REQUIRED.
- Eligibility for National Therapeutic Recreation Specialist certification which will lead to CTRS status within the first year of employment is REQUIRED.
- A valid Virginia driver's license is REQUIRED.

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

- Ability to develop, plan, organize and implement recreational therapy 1:1 interventions and groups that are designed to promote improvements in cognition, psychological, social, physical health and well-being using principles of recovery and trauma informed care.
- Proficient in verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to use Microsoft Office and other identified computer software successfully.
- Awareness of safety and security procedures.
- Ability to manage aggressive/assaultive clients utilizing approved Therapeutic Options (TO) techniques.
- Knowledge of the purpose of active treatment.
- Ability to drive/operate and escort clients by state cars, wheelchair equipped bus and 15 passenger van.
- Ability to complete Rehabilitation Assessments, recommend treatment goals and objectives and rehabilitative interventions, and report progress accordingly.
- Ability to plan and provide leisure/recreational programming on weekends, holidays and evenings. - Additional duties will include (but are not limited to) participating in special unit activities (unit/department/hospital) and working irregular work week and hours when necessary.

Additional Considerations

- Work/internship experience working with adults with mental illness, intellectual deficits and physical disabilities is PREFERRED.
- Experienced in evaluating, establishing treatment intervention and assessing effectiveness of treatment interventions is PREFERRED.

Special Instructions

You will be provided