Title: Recreational Therapist

State Role Title: 49231

Hiring Range: $52,711 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

To facilitate and co-facilitate Therapeutic Recreation services with adults 18 to 64 years of age who have serious mental illness. To provide comprehensive programming that offers opportunities for social engagement, education and psychosocial skill building, wellness education, meaningful leisure experiences, self-directed recovery planning and community reintegration. To plan and facilitate weekday and weekend groups, special events, and evening activities as needed. To document on individuals’ attendance and progress according to hospital and departmental policy. To conduct assessments and develop treatment interventions, collaborating with the treatment team. To provide cross coverage as needed to all service areas.

NOTE: This position will work a five 8-hour day schedule of Sunday-Thursday.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited school of Recreation Therapy with completed internships.
Eligibility for National Therapeutic Recreation Specialist certification which will lead to CTRS status. CTRS status must be obtained in one year of employment and maintained throughout employment.
Work/internship experience dealing with various types of mental disorders.
Must possess a valid driver’s license that must remain valid throughout employment.

THIS POSITION WILL WORK A FIVE 8-HOUR DAY SCHEDULE OF SUNDAY-THURSDAY.

This position will also require:
Knowledge of mental health disorders, substance abuse disorders and models of treatment interventions.
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.
Proficient in verbal and written communication skills.
Awareness of safety and security procedures.
Ability to manage aggressive/assaultive individuals utilizing approved Therapeutic Options techniques.
Ability to plan and provide leisure/recreational programming on weekends, holidays, and evenings and be able to work irregular hours as assigned.
Knowledge of the purpose for active treatment.
Ability to work effectively with various professional disciplines as a team member and consultant.
Ability to drive/operate and escort individuals by state cars, vans, and wheelchair equipped passenger van.
Ability to organize scheduling of tasks, to utilize the Millennium health record, to conduct quality assurance audits and prepare reports.

Additional Considerations

Experience as a Recreational Therapist in a psychiatric healthcare facility, acute care, long-term or correctional setting.
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 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.