Human Services Care Specialist

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Petersburg, VA

20h•Onsite

About The Position

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 use. Central State Hospital is recruiting for a Human Services Care Specialist to facilitate and co-facilitate active treatment with adults with serious mental illness, supporting recovery-oriented programming that promotes engagement, skill development, and meaningful participation. This position is responsible for planning and delivering evening, weekend, holiday, and special event activities, as well as providing comprehensive library services during day, evening, and weekend hours to patients, staff, students, and volunteers. The Human Services Care Specialist will ensure accurate documentation of client attendance and progress in accordance with hospital and departmental policies, while also assisting in the daily operations of the Rehabilitation Services Department to ensure efficient, safe, and effective service delivery. All duties are performed in alignment with hospital and departmental mission, policies, and procedures, with a focus on high-quality, client-centered care. This position will primarily work from 10:42 a.m. to 7:12 p.m. on weekdays and every other weekend.

Requirements

Experience in leading leisure-based groups with adults with mental illness in an inpatient setting, as well as knowledge of benefits to a patient's well-being and recovery process.
Must be able to work irregular hours and work weeks which include: evenings, weekends, holidays and special events.
Ability to drive/operate and escort clients by state cars, wheelchair equipped bus and 15 passenger van.
Valid Virginia driver’s license.
Proficient in verbal and written communication skills with ability to use Microsoft Office and other identified computer software successfully.
Ability to plan and implement leisure-based activities.
Ability to manage aggressive/assaultive clients utilizing approved TOVA techniques and assist in verbal de-escalation of individuals as needed.
Awareness of safety and security procedures.
Ability to work collaboratively with others.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working in an inpatient mental health facility.

Responsibilities

Facilitate and co-facilitate active treatment with adults with serious mental illness, supporting recovery-oriented programming that promotes engagement, skill development, and meaningful participation.
Plan and deliver evening, weekend, holiday, and special event activities.
Provide comprehensive library services during day, evening, and weekend hours to patients, staff, students, and volunteers.
Ensure accurate documentation of client attendance and progress in accordance with hospital and departmental policies.
Assist in the daily operations of the Rehabilitation Services Department to ensure efficient, safe, and effective service delivery.
Perform all duties in alignment with hospital and departmental mission, policies, and procedures, with a focus on high-quality, client-centered care.