Title: Clinical Treatment Team Social Worker

State Role Title: 49012

Hiring Range: $66,320.00 - $91,522 - Pay to commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: 5

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 Clinical Treatment Team Social Worker to provide comprehensive clinical social work services to patients of Central State Hospital. The Clinical Social Worker will provide an array of services to include case management, clinical assessment, individual/family/group therapy, collaboration with CSBs/community partners/ families, treatment planning, and discharge planning. Services provided will be person-centered, recovery oriented, and trauma informed.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

- Assess and identify discharge needs.
- Develops and maintains relationships with CSBs, families and other community partners (i.e., jails, DOC, Probation, ALFs, mental health skill building, therapists, etc.).
- Efficiently implement discharge plans of individuals who are identified as discharge ready.
- Will demonstrate behaviors that support the Social Work Department mission and the Mission and Values of CSH
- Validates feelings, preferences, and facilitates choices of persons served whenever possible, within appropriate legal constraints and hospital policy guidelines.
- Maintain knowledge of policy and procedures regarding temporary visits, discharge planning, and Discharge Protocols
- Follows procedures of DBHDS Discharge Protocols
- Assess discharge needs in collaboration with the patient, patient’s support team, CSB liaison and treatment team.
- Document discharge needs
- Collaborates with the patient, patient’s support team, CSB liaison, community partners and members of the treatment team to develop and implement the discharge plan.
- Collaborates with treatment team in rating discharge readiness for patients on a routine basis as identified by department guidance.
- Collaborates with treatment team, CSB, community partners and patient to complete NGRI gradual release packets and Risk Management Plans as well as Conditional Release Plans as needed.
- Ensures benefits are active and/or applied for in a timely manner.
- Actively pursues full engagement from the CSB in the discharge planning process.
- Will coordinate with CSB appropriate aftercare follow-up services and make referrals as necessary (i.e., psychiatry, case management, substance abuse, medical, mental health skill building, PACT/ICT services, therapy, etc.)
- Will provide comprehensive documentation on the discharge instructions regarding discharge plans.
- Will complete all documentation in time periods as outlined in hospital policy and department guidance.
- Documentation will reflect person centered and recovery-oriented care.
- Participates in the development, implementation, and monitoring of treatment plans.
- Serves as liaison between CSH and CSB, community partners, and patient support team.
- Therapeutic Interventions
- Conducts PSR groups as assigned.
- Provides Supportive Counseling to patients and families.
- Provides education to families as needed on mental health conditions, legal status, community resources.
- Under supervision, provide individual therapy as needed/assigned.
- Will demonstrate behaviors that support the Social Work Department mission and the Mission and Values of CSH
- Displays respect and empathy when engaged with others.
Encourages persons served to have hope and positive expectations for their recovery.
- Validates feelings, preferences, and facilitates choices of persons served whenever possible, within appropriate legal constraints and hospital policy guidelines.
- Maintain knowledge of policy and procedures regarding treatment planning, documentation, and Discharge Protocols
- Participates in treatment team meetings as scheduled for each patient on assigned unit.
- Social Work notes will reflect patient progress in treatment and involvement of patient, CSB and patient support team.
- Coordinate with Treatment Team, CSB, patient and patient’s support team to develop and implement person centered and recovery-oriented treatment plans.
- Continually assesses the ongoing clinical/discharge needs of the patient and documents in the medical record
- Involves CSBs in treatment planning process/ Collaborates with CSB throughout admission.
- With consent, involves patient’s support team in treatment planning / Collaborates with patient’s support team throughout admission.
- Facilitates PSR groups as assigned by supervisor; hours vary on CSW assignment.
- Enter attendance for individuals in PSR group daily.
- Completes thorough progress notes for individuals in PSR group per policy/procedure guidelines
- Provide Restoration services.

Minimum Qualifications

- Master's Degree in Social Work (REQUIRED)
- Experience in Social Work as it relates to case management, discharge planning, intake/assessments, treatment planning, and individual, group, and family therapy (REQUIRED)
- A valid Virginia Driver's License is required for this position and the individual must have the ability to provide transportation in a state vehicle as requested. (REQUIRED)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities REQUIRED to Successfully Perform the Job:

- Knowledge of the principles, theories, practices, services and techniques of social work, preferably with the forensic and/or civilly committed mentally ill population.
- Knowledge and demonstrated ability to provide case management and coordinate resources for patients.
- Knowledge and demonstrated ability of advanced assessment skills.
- Ability and skills in providing individual and group educational/supportive/insight counseling as well a family therapy.
- Ability to interview and gather pertinent information from patients and family.
- Ability to individually and in conjunction with interdisciplinary teams, develop goals and implement treatment plans according to patient needs and problems.
- Knowledge, skills and ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Knowledgeable regarding NASW Code of Ethics.
- Ability to perform duties at a fast pace with frequent change.
- Ability to interact with other professionals as a contributing team member.

Additional Considerations

- Knowledge of forensic mental health is desirable.
- Prior inpatient social work experience is 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: Human Resources

Phone: 804-524-7111

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.