Occupational Therapist (Pilot program/Rapid Discharge)

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Petersburg, VA

6d•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. 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. 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.

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.

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.
Operate a state vehicle to include cars, wheelchair equipped minibus and 15 passenger van.
Participate in special unit activities (unit/dept/hospital).
Utilize TOVA techniques with clients.
Work irregular work week and hours when necessary.
Maintain awareness of safety and security procedures.