Occupational Therapist

Title: Occupational Therapist

State Role Title: Therapist III

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 seeking a dynamic Occupational Therapist to deliver impactful, recovery-focused services for adults ages 18 to 64 living with serious mental illness, trauma histories, and physical or intellectual challenges. In this vital role, you’ll design and lead engaging therapeutic interventions — including daytime, evening, weekend, and holiday groups — that build daily living skills, foster hope, and support reintegration into the community.

You’ll work hands-on with clients to help them regain their highest level of independence, track their progress, and document outcomes in alignment with hospital and departmental standards. As a key member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team, you'll provide valuable input on treatment plans and make real-time adjustments to support each client’s evolving functional needs.

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

- Degree (grad/undergrad) from an accredited School of Occupational Therapy. (Required)
- National registration (or eligibility) and licensure (or eligibility) from Virginia State Board of Medicine to practice an OT. (Required)
- Work/internship experience dealing with various types of mental and physical disorders, people of all ages, and experience in evaluating, establishing treatment intervention and assessing effectiveness of treatment interventions. (Required)
- Valid Virginia driver's license or ability to obtain a Virginia license within 30 days of employment (Required)

Additional Considerations

- Previous work experience in a psychiatric hospital setting preferred.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions wil