Recreational Therapist

Title: Recreational Therapist

State Role Title: 49231

Hiring Range: $51,175 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

Come Join our team of Therapists that makes a difference! $3,000 sign on bonus will be awarded to new hires to state service with a one-year written agreement required.

Exceptional State Benefits Include: 13 paid holidays, 12 paid vacation days, 8 paid sick days and 4 paid family personal days per year; Family Medical Leave, Short- and Long-term disability coverage; Low-cost, comprehensive Anthem or AETNA health insurance benefits; Group life and optional life insurance, and Flexible Reimbursement accounts.

Other state benefits include:
Referral Bonuses
Virginia 529 College Savings Plan may be available for this role
State Employee Discounts and More!

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental services support individuals by promoting recovery, self-determination, and wellness in all aspects of life. DBHDS operates 12 facilities: 8 behavioral health facilities for adults, a training center, a psychiatric facility for children and adolescents, a medical center, and a center for behavioral rehabilitation. State facilities provide highly structured, intensive services for individuals with mental illness, intellectual disability, or need substance use disorder services. DBHDS is committed to a life of possibilities for all Virginians. This position will work at Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute, a 72-bed Joint Commission accredited State Mental Health Facility, located in Danville, VA.

This position will:
Facilitate and co-facilitate Therapeutic Recreation services with adults 18 to 64 years of age who have serious mental illness.
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.
Plan and facilitate special events, evening, and weekend activities as needed.
Document on individuals’ attendance and progress according to hospital and departmental policy.
Serve as a member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team and provide information regarding individuals response to treatment and revise accordingly.
Conduct assessments and develop treatment interventions, collaborating with the treatment team.
Provide cross coverage as needed to all service areas.

This position requires:
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.
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.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree (graduate/undergraduate) from an accredited school of Recreation Therapy is required with completed internships.
Eligibility for National Therapeutic Recreation Specialist certification, which will lead to CTRS status. Must be obtained within 12 months of employment.
Valid driver's license, which must remain in valid and in good standing throughout employment.

Additional Considerations

Work experience/internship experience dealing with various types of mental disorders.
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.

Salary : $51,175