Certified Occupation Therapy Assistant

Title: Certified Occupation Therapy Assistant

State Role Title: 49231 - Therapy Assistant/Therapist I

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/csh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

About Central State Hospital

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.

Departmental Mission Objective

The Psychosocial Rehabilitative Services Department at Central State Hospital is a multi-
disciplinary team consisting of creative art therapists, recreational and occupational therapists, human services care specialists, pastoral care, administrative supports, and beautician services. As a team, we provide patients quality engagement opportunities through creative and evidence based therapeutic interventions. We seek to recognize the uniqueness of each individual in our care, and promote self-awareness of their strengths. We provide an outlet for the patients to engage in meaningful interventions while also exploring their own personal interests. The Rehabilitative Department promotes resiliency, autonomy, and empowerment through a structured and supportive environment. Our goal is to encourage recovery in the hospital that can continue to grow upon return to the community.

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

- Plans and implements up to 15 hours of active treatment services for adult seriously mentally ill clients that are appropriate, meet the client’s assessed needs and are in accordance with department standards and programs description. As much as possible, involve the client in the decision making and group and intervention planning process.
- Provides 1:1 OT and Restoration to Competency intervention, up to 10 hours a week.
- Provides weekend therapeutic services with emphasis on priority discharge needs (especially Restoration to Competency).
- Ensure that the clients’ treatment interventions are integrated with the plans established by the treatment teams and are carried over to the clients’ active treatment program.
- Ensures that attendance and punctuality support active treatment and service delivery.
- Ensures all treatment activities are covered including evening, weekends and holidays. Fully informs supervisors regarding coverage of scheduled activities.
- Expected to drive/operate state cars, wheelchair equipped bus, and 15 passenger van to transport clients to activities and groups on campus and out into the community.
- Encourage persons served to have hope and positive expectations for their recovery
- Participates in the multidisciplinary treatment team process which includes attending daily Morning Briefings, team meetings as scheduled, completion of the referral process and assistance with treatment planning process in the clients Electronic Health Record.
- Provides information regarding the client’s outcomes to the Occupational Therapist, team members and appropriate Rehab Department Staff.
- Facilitates the completion of temporary schedules and referrals for new and existing clients within the time frame defined in the Rehab Departments standards and assists with the development of the client’s treatment plan using person centered goals, providing updates to the team and the client on client’s outcomes, as well as to appropriate Rehab Department Staff.
- Completes Rehab assessments (initial and/or annual updates) which determine client’s functional, learning, communication, vocational and educational strengths and needs. Completes Safety Plans.
- Ensures that assessments also identify any problems related to use of substances, ongoing MI treatment needs, and functional needs related to discharge.
- Ensures that assessments are completed according to department and hospital standards for time and content.
- Assist Occupational Therapist in completion of ILS, ADL, cognitive, physical, positioning and sensorimotor evaluations as needed. Ability to articulate recommended skilled occupational therapy interventions to the treatment team, client, family members, and nursing staff.

Minimum Qualifications

- Must be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant from an accredited COTA program and have passed all clinical fieldworks/internships.
- Work/internship experience working with adults with serious mental illness, intellectual deficits, and complex medical needs.
- Must possess valid and current OTA license.
- Valid Virginia driver’s license

Additional Considerations

- 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.
- Ability to clinically assess both psychosocial and physical deficits and implement occupational therapy interventions accordingly.
- Ability to operate a state vehicle to include cars, wheel chair equipped mini bus and 15 passenger van

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: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

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
(804) 524-7111 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: 804-524-7530

Email: CSHRecruitment@dbhds.virginia.gov

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 800-552-5019.

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.