Recreational Therapist

Dept Behavioral Health/Develop; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Retirement plans

13 paid holidays

Leave programs

Employee discounts

Job summary

Dept Behavioral Health/Develop seeks a Recreational Therapist for Central State Hospital in Petersburg, VA. The role supports recovery-focused care for adults 18–64 in a maximum-security unit, with daily groups, assessments, and documentation responsibilities.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s or master’s in Recreational Therapy and CTRS certification eligibility within one year. A Virginia driver’s license is required, with a comprehensive benefits package and a stable Monday–Friday schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Recreational Therapy or related field with internship for national certification.
• Eligible to obtain CTRS certification by hire and within 1 year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in therapeutic groups and individual interventions.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment plans and assessments.
• Document clinical progress and maintain EHR records accurately.
• Coordinate daily routines in a maximum‑security unit and participate in treatment planning.

Skills

Recreational therapy

Psychiatric rehabilitation

Group dynamics

Crisis management

Clinical documentation

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Recreational Therapy

CTRS certification eligibility within hire

Job description

Title: Recreational Therapist

State Role Title: 49231

Hiring Range: $54,555.00 - $75,287.00

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 typically scheduled to work Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; however, work hours and schedule are subject to change based on operational needs and may include evening, weekend, and holiday coverage as required. This position is assigned to the Maximum-Security Unit. However, unit assignments are based on operational needs and may change at any time.

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 August 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.

Make an Impact as a Recreational Therapist! Join our behavioral health team and provide meaningful, recovery-focused care to adults ages 18–64 in a maximum-security unit. Our patients have varying diagnoses, including SMI and/or SUD, and legal involvement, creating an opportunity to develop valuable clinical and behavioral health experience. A typical day includes morning briefing, treatment team participation, assessments and treatment planning, followed by therapeutic groups at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Therapists typically facilitate 2–3 groups per day, depending on assignments and coverage needs, with time afterward for documentation, planning, assessments, and professional development. New staff also receive department orientation that includes visiting other hospital units to observe groups and treatment teams. If you are creative, compassionate, collaborative, and passionate about helping individuals build skills for recovery and successful community reintegration, we invite you to join our team!

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

• Knowledge of recreational therapy principles, psychiatric rehabilitation, and behavioral health treatment practices.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed models of care.
• Knowledge of group dynamics, therapeutic recreation interventions, and patient engagement strategies.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive clinical assessments and develop individualized treatment interventions.
• Ability to facilitate therapeutic groups and individual interventions for diverse patient populations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, and community providers.
• Ability to recognize behavioral changes and respond appropriately during crisis situations.
• Ability to maintain accurate clinical documentation within an electronic health record.
• Ability to organize workload, prioritize responsibilities, and function effectively in a fast-paced clinical environment.
• Skill in therapeutic communication, conflict resolution, and verbal de-escalation techniques.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's or master's degree in Recreational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, or a closely related field that meets the academic and internship requirements for national certification.
• Eligibility to obtain certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) at the time of hire. Incumbents must obtain CTRS certification within one (1) year of employment and maintain certification as a condition of continued employment.
• Valid Virginia driver's license

Additional Considerations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Current certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
• Experience providing recreational therapy services in an inpatient behavioral health, psychiatric, or forensic setting.
• Understanding of CMS documentation requirements.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at 1-804-524-7111 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We highly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.

Benefits: DBHDS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including your choice of health plans, paid life insurance, retirement plans, 13 paid holidays, annual leave, family personal leave, sick leave, employee discount programs, and more!

SOEI: Per the Code of Virginia §2.2-3114, persons occupying positions of trust within state government or non-salaried citizens of policy and supervisory boards file a disclosure statement with the Commonwealth’s Ethics Advisory Council, as a condition to assuming office or employment, and thereafter shall file such a statement annually on or before February 1. Additionally, per Executive order, positions of trust include senior-level positions with responsibility affecting legislative policies and rule‑making authority or substantive authorization and decision-making regarding policy, contracts and procurement, audits, licensure, inspections and investigations, and investments or other financial matters. Sections 2.2-3128 through 2.2-3131 of the Code of Virginia require that each employee within a position of trust complete COIA training within two months of their hire date and at least once every two years after the initial training. This position is identified as a position of trust within the agency.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

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.

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.