Title: Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (Pilot/Rapid Discharge)

State Role Title: 49231

Hiring Range: $55,887 - $77,124; 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

** This position is a part of the rapid discharge program whose purpose is to help expedite discharge including 1:1 services and working one weekend per month. **

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.

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 Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant to facilitate and co-facilitate Occupational Therapy services with adults 18 to 64 years of age who have serios mental illness, substance use histories, physical and intellectual deficits and who have experienced trauma. The COTA will plan and facilitate evening, weekend, 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. The COTA will document client’s attendance and progress according to the hospitals policy and departmental policy. The COTA will serve as an active member of the Interdisciplinary team and provide information regarding client’s response to treatment and revise accordingly based on current functional level.

Minimum Qualifications

- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant from an accredited COTA program and have passed all clinical Fieldwork/Internships (REQUIRED)
- Eligibility for certification in Occupational Therapy Assistant (REQUIRED)
- Work/Internship Experience working with adults dealing with various types of mental disorders (REQUIRED)
- Valid Virginia driver’s license (REQUIRED)


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

- Proficient in both verbal and written communication skills with staff, client, community providers, and family members.
- Skilled in the ability to develop, plan, and implement occupational therapy interventions and groups utilizing 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 mini bus and 15 passenger van, participating in special unit activities (unit/dept/hospital), using TO techniques with clients, working irregular work week including weekends, when necessary and awareness of safety and security procedures.

Additional Considerations

- Previous experience working in an inpatient mental health facility (PREFFERED)

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.