Occupational Therapist (Pilot program/Rapid Discharge)

Title: Occupational Therapist (Pilot program/Rapid Discharge)

State Role Title: 49233

Hiring Range: $86,252.00 - $119,028.00; Salary 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

* This position is a part of the rapid discharge program which aids in expediting patient's discharge into the community. As a part of the rapid discharge program, this position is required to work one weekend per month. *

* This position provides services campus-wide in several treatment units, therefore there will be some oversight from the individual Rehab Department unit supervisor in addition to overall supervision from the OT/clinical supervisor. *

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 (Pilot Program/Rapid Discharge) to provide comprehensive, recovery-oriented occupational therapy services to adults ages 18–64 with serious mental illness, substance use histories, physical and intellectual disabilities, and trauma backgrounds. This position plans and delivers up to 18 hours per week of functionally based active treatment interventions—including day, evening, weekend, and holiday programming—that promote hope, skill development, and successful community reintegration. Responsibilities include completing comprehensive rehabilitation assessments (functional, ADL, ILS, cognitive, physical, sensorimotor, vocational, and educational), documenting client attendance and progress in accordance with hospital and departmental standards and maintaining accurate electronic health record entries and statistical reports. The Occupational Therapist serves as an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, participates in morning briefings and treatment planning, integrates services into individualized recovery plans, and communicates client outcomes effectively to staff, clients, and families. Additional duties include transporting clients using state vehicles (including wheelchair-accessible buses and 15-passenger vans), supporting least restrictive interventions, modeling respectful and trauma-informed care, completing monthly clinician reports, maintaining equipment and treatment areas, supporting student fieldwork placements, and ensuring compliance with all licensures, certification, training, and safety requirements. This role requires one weekend per month and a strong commitment to person-centered care, collaboration, professionalism, and empowering individuals toward recovery and independence.

KSAs:
- 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 15 passenger van, participating in special unit activities (unit/dept/hospital), utilizing TOVA techniques with clients, and working irregular work week and hours when necessary and Awareness of safety and security procedures.