Occupational Therapist (OT)

Title: Occupational Therapist (OT)

State Role Title: 49233

Hiring Range: $83,740 minimum, negotiable based on relevant years of experience

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Southern Va Mental Health Inst

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental services support individuals by promoting recovery, self-determination, and wellness in all aspects of life. DBHDS operates 12 facilities: 8 behavioral health facilities for adults, a training center, a psychiatric facility for children and adolescents, a medical center, and a center for behavioral rehabilitation. State facilities provide highly structured, intensive services for individuals with mental illness, intellectual disability, or need substance use disorder services. DBHDS is committed to a life of possibilities for all Virginians. This position will work at Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute, a 72-bed Joint Commission accredited State Mental Health Facility, located in Danville, VA.

The duties of this position include the ability:
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 an interdisciplinary treatment team and provide information regarding client’s response to treatment and revise accordingly based on current functional level.

This position requires the applicant to 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.
Ability 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 and wheelchair equipped van. Therefore a valid driver's license is required for this position and must remain in good standing throughout employment.
*Participating in special unit activities (unit/dept/hospital).
*Utilizing Therapeutic Options techniques with clients (on-the-job training will be provided during orientation).
*Working irregular work week and hours when necessary.
*Awareness of safety and security procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

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 as an Occupational Therapist in the Commonwealth of Virginia. (Must be licensed by the first day of employment.)
Ability to operate a state vehicle to include cars and wheelchair equipped van. Therefore, a valid driver's license is required for this position and must remain in good standing throughout employment.

This position requires the following:
Proficient in both verbal and written communication skills with staff, client, community providers, and family members.
Ability 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, wheelchair equipped van, participating in special unit activities (unit/dept/hospital), utilizing Therapeutic Options techniques with clients, working irregular work week and hours when necessary, and awareness of safety and security procedures.

Additional Considerations

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.
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.
Veterans and people with National Service.
Fluent in English and Spanish.

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.

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, drug screen, 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 (434) 773-4208 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.

SVMHI uses Form I-9 and E-Verify in the verification of eligibility for employment.

SVMHI is a smoke and vape-free facility in all buildings and outside facility grounds.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 434-421-3060

Email: svmhihr@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.