Occupational Therapist (Pilot program/Rapid Discharge)

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Petersburg, VA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277-bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility seeking an Occupational Therapist for its Pilot Program/Rapid Discharge initiative. This role is part of a program designed to expedite patient discharge into the community. The Occupational Therapist will provide comprehensive, recovery-oriented occupational therapy services to adults aged 18-64 with serious mental illness, substance use histories, physical and intellectual disabilities, and trauma backgrounds. The position involves planning and delivering up to 18 hours per week of functionally based active treatment interventions, including day, evening, weekend, and holiday programming, to promote hope, skill development, and successful community reintegration. Responsibilities include conducting comprehensive rehabilitation assessments (functional, ADL, ILS, cognitive, physical, sensorimotor, vocational, and educational), documenting client progress, and maintaining electronic health records. The therapist will be an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, participating in treatment planning and integrating services into recovery plans. Additional duties include transporting clients using state vehicles, supporting least restrictive interventions, modeling respectful and trauma-informed care, completing monthly clinician reports, maintaining equipment, supporting student fieldwork placements, and ensuring compliance with all requirements. This role requires a commitment to person-centered care, collaboration, professionalism, and empowering individuals toward recovery and independence. The position is part of a pilot program and requires working one weekend per month.

Requirements

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.
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.
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.
Awareness of safety and security procedures.
Work one weekend per month.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working in an inpatient psychiatric mental health facility.

Responsibilities

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.
Plan and deliver 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.
Complete comprehensive rehabilitation assessments (functional, ADL, ILS, cognitive, physical, sensorimotor, vocational, and educational).
Document client attendance and progress in accordance with hospital and departmental standards.
Maintain accurate electronic health record entries and statistical reports.
Serve as an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, participate in morning briefings and treatment planning.
Integrate services into individualized recovery plans.
Communicate client outcomes effectively to staff, clients, and families.
Transport clients using state vehicles (including wheelchair-accessible buses and 15-passenger vans).
Support least restrictive interventions.
Model respectful and trauma-informed care.
Complete monthly clinician reports.
Maintain equipment and treatment areas.
Support student fieldwork placements.
Ensure compliance with all licensures, certification, training, and safety requirements.
Work one weekend per month as part of the rapid discharge program.