Occupational Therapist
Central State Hospital
Petersburg, VA
Retention Bonus

Title: Occupational Therapist

State Role Title: 49233 - Therapist III

Hiring Range: Starting Pay $83,740.00 - Commensurate With Experience

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central State Hospital

Agency Website:  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.

The Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services Department is looking for a dynamic, self-motivated, recovery oriented Occupational Therapist to facilitate and co-facilitate Occupational Therapy services with adults 18 to 64 years of age who have serious mental illness, substance abuse 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.

Minimum Qualifications

The experience we’re looking to add to our team:

Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification required for entry into position:

- 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 treatment intervention and assessing effectiveness of treatment interventions.
- Valid Virginia driver’s license.

The incumbent in this position must be:

- Proficient in both verbal and written communication skills with staff, client, 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.
- Able 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, wheel chair equipped mini bus and 15 passenger van
- Participating in special unit activities (unit/dept/hospital)
- Utilizing TOVA techniques with clients
- Working irregular work week and hours when necessary
- Awareness of safety and security procedures.

Additional Considerations

We’re excited if you also have:

- Experience working in an inpatient psycho-social rehabilitative setting.
- Utilization of sensorimotor assessments and strategies to develop individualized sensory diets that promote safety and adaptive coping skills.
- Skilled in the assessment of medically complex needs to include seating assessments, strengthening, balance, and functional ambulation. -- Experience with functional program development to promote transferable skills to the community.

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.

Central State Hospital only accepts online applications via RMS. Resumes and other documents may accompany the application but will not serve as a substitute for an application. Faxed, e-mailed, or mailed applications will not be accepted. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and this position. This posting will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days.


An extensive criminal history background investigation, not limited to employment references, drug testing and E-Verify will be conducted.

Central State Hospital offers a comprehensive benefit package to include your choice of four health insurance plans, paid life insurance and retirement plans, 12 paid holidays, annual and sick leave.

Applicants must list all relevant experience that you wish to be considered for this position. Applicants will be provided confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position. A fingerprint-based criminal history check and reference checks are required for the selected candidate for this position. Under Virginia Code §37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is prohibited from employing or using as volunteers, persons who have been convicted of specific “barrier” crimes or persons who may be the subject of pending “barrier” charges.

DBHDS facilities are no longer required to ensure that all staff members are vaccinated against COVID-19. However, facilities encourage and educate staff on the benefits, and continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination programs to staff, residents/clients. Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for purposes of infection prevention and/or management of outbreaks. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Human Resources.

Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS, to get their Certificate of Disability. To obtain a Certificate of Disability go to: or call DARS at .

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at
for assistance.

DBHDS is an equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities are open to all regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability. Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY

Contact Information

Name: Central State Hospital

Phone:

Email:

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at .

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.