Title: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

State Role Title: 49231

Hiring Range: $57,563 minimum, negotiable based on relevant years of experience

Pay Band: 3

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 incumbent in this position is a Certified Occupational Therapy assistant whose responsibilities include, but are not limited to, individual functional evaluations, and quality occupational therapy to adults from 18 to 64 years of age who have serious mental illness, addiction issues, physical and intellectual deficits and who have experienced trauma. Planning and facilitation of day, evening, weekend, and holiday therapeutic interventions that are functionally based, promote hope and recovery, and that assist our individual’s return to his/her highest level of functioning in order to be successful in the community. To document on an individual’s attendance and progress according to hospital policy and departmental policy. To serve as an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and provide information regarding an individual’s response to treatment and revise approaches accordingly based on current functional level.

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.
Valid Virginia driver’s license is required and must remain valid throughout employment.


This position will also require:
Proficient in both verbal and written communication skills with staff, individual, 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 evidence-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, wheelchair equipped min-bus and passenger van, participating in special events (unit/Dept./hospital), utilizing Therapeutic Options techniques with individuals, and working irregular work week hours when necessary.
Awareness of all safety and security procedures.

Additional Considerations

Veterans and people with National Service.
Bilingual fluency in Spanish and English.

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 successful 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.

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.