Recreation Therapist

Title: Recreation Therapist

State Role Title: Therapist III

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central State Hospital

Agency Website: www.csh.dbhds.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Central State Hospital is a 277 bed, Joint Commission accredited public psychiatric facility. The hospital serves individuals who are civilly committed and in need of treatment, and/or individuals involved in the criminal justice system who need treatment and/or pre-trial evaluation.

We are seeking a Recreation Therapist to work with maximum security patients and to be part of a dynamic treatment team and Rehab Department. This position will be responsible for developing, planning, organizing, and implementing therapeutic recreation treatment groups, as well as scheduled weekend treatment programming and holiday leisure activities with adults who have serious mental illness.

This position will work in settings with adults who have serious mental illnesses. Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to: representing the Rehab Department as a member of a Treatment Team, completing treatment plans, and conducting assessments. The Recreation Therapist will also be responsible for medical records documentation and data entry.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates must have a Degree (graduate or undergraduate) from an accredited school of Recreation Therapy. Candidates must also have completed an internship under the supervision of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and be certified or eligible for certification and pass the NCTRC Exam within one year of hire date.

Incumbent must have the ability to develop, plan, organize and implement Therapeutic Recreation programs designed to promote psychological and physical health and well-being using principles of recovery and trauma informed care and programs designed to promote skills in preparation for community living.

Must have knowledge of the purpose for active treatment. Must be able to plan and provide leisure/recreational programming on weekends, holidays, and evenings and be able to work irregular hours as assigned.

Must be proficient in verbal and written communication skills with ability to use Microsoft Office and other identified computer software.

Candidates must have a valid VA Driver's license. The ability to drive/operate and escort clients by state cars, wheel chair equipped bus and 15 passenger van.

The ability to perform the following tasks: moderate lifting, standing, reaching, bending, climbing, responding to behavioral interventions, and multi-tasking are required. In addition, must have awareness of safety and security procedures and the ability to manage aggressive/assaultive clients utilizing approved TOVA techniques are also required.

Additional Considerations

We're excited if you also have:

Work/internship experience dealing with various types of mental disorders are preferred.

Experience evaluating, establishing treatment intervention, and assessing effectiveness of treatment interventions preferred.

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: 804-524-7000

Email: www.csh.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.