Title: Recreational Therapist (Pilot Program)

State Role Title: 49231

Hiring Range: $51,175.00 - $70,622.00 - Pay To 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

Job Duties

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.

Central State Hospital is recruiting for a Recreational Therapist to join our Rehab team! The incumbent in this position is a Recreational Therapist (Pilot Program - Rapid Discharge) whose responsibilities include, but are not limited to, client functional evaluations using modality specific assessments and observations, and quality recreation therapy services via groups and 1:1 interventions to adults with serious mental illness, 18 to 65 years of age who have serious mental illness, addiction issues, physical and intellectual deficits and who have experienced trauma. Planning, facilitating and co-facilitating of day, evening, weekend, special events 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 and departmental policy. To serve as an active member of the Interdisciplinary treatment team and provide information regarding client’s response to treatment and revise approaches accordingly based on current functional level. To provide cross coverage as needed to all service areas.

This position is placed within a Pilot Program that is required to work 1 weekend per month to provide 1:1 treatment as well as groups and active treatment services to aid in expediting client's return into the community.

Minimum Qualifications

- Degree (graduate or undergraduate) from an accredited school of Recreation Therapy with completed internships.
- Eligibility for National Therapeutic Recreation Specialist certification which will lead to CTRS status within first year of employment.
- Valid Virginia driver’s license.

Additional Considerations

- Work/internship experience working with adults with mental illness, intellectual deficits and physical disabilities.
- Experienced in evaluating, establishing treatment intervention and assessing effectiveness of treatment interventions.

KSA’s required to successfully perform the work:

- Ability to develop, plan, organize and implement recreational therapy 1:1 interventions and groups that are designed to promote improvements in cognition, psychological, social, physical health and well-being using principles of recovery and trauma informed care. -
- Proficient in verbal and written communication skills with ability to use Microsoft Office and other identified computer software successfully.
- Awareness of safety and security procedures.
- Ability to manage aggressive/assaultive clients utilizing approved TOVA techniques. -
- Knowledge of the purpose for active treatment.
- Ability to drive/operate and escort clients by state cars, wheel chair equipped bus and 15 passenger van.
- Ability to complete Rehabilitation Assessments, recommend treatment goals and objectives and rehabilitative interventions, and report progress accordingly.
- Ability to plan and provide leisure/recreational programming on weekends, holidays, and evenings and be able to work irregular hours as assigned.
- Additional duties will include (but are not limited to) participating in special unit activities (unit/department/hospital) and working irregular work week and hours when necessary.

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: 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.