PSRB/Competency Monitor (37.5 Hour)

The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services seeks qualified individuals for the position of PSRB/Competency Monitor, within the Whiting Forensic Hospital - Dutcher Service.  POSITION #24315 LOCATION: Whiting Forensic Hospital - Dutcher Service - 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT  06457.  This is a full-time, thirty-seven and a half (37.5) hour per week position within the Dutcher Service - 1st Shift - Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This is a hazardous duty position.

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have uploaded your Cover Letter, Resume and Motor Vehicle Operator's license . You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.

NOTE: In order to upload documents you must ensure that your internet browser's 'pop-up' blocker is off.  Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to upload documentation into JobAps.  Questions about these required documents should be directed to Joann K. Castaldo, DMHAS HR, 860-262-5868 or joann.castaldo@ct.gov.

In the Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS) or the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB), this class is accountable for providing monitoring, evaluation, competency restoration and consultation services involving complex forensic cases.

At a DMHAS facility, restoration to competency services program, or other PSRB related programs, provides evaluation and consultation services to inpatient treatment teams responsible for providing direct treatment to clients with complex psychological and social problems; initiates consultation and collaboration with other DMHAS staff and mental health providers to assess current services; collaborates with consulting psychiatrists in monitoring and evaluating PSRB and restoration to competency patients, their privileges, and treatment programs; may monitor and evaluate the development of individual patient treatment and/or service plans; monitors and evaluates the ability of community programs to meet statutory mandates; may monitor compliance with PSRB orders; provides consultation and technical and/or clinical advice to community programs, facilities and/or DMHAS staff; performs comprehensive clinical assessments; evaluates patients for risk factors for violence; develops data for statistical and planning systems and/or research and publication; prepares statutorily required six-month reports, competency status reports and other clinical or special reports for the PSRB; testifies before and responds to questions at PSRB hearings or at state Superior Courts; compiles current clinical statistics for PSRB, court clinic or competency restoration; represents program or agency during hearings or serves as a liaison with other community agencies and resources; may provide in-service educational presentations concerning PSRB/Competency services and the means to access them; may present information on mental illness, mental health and forensic issues and services, and PSRB to family members, treatment teams, and community employers, residential programs, and medical or mental health treatment providers; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to instruct others about theories of human behavior, current diagnostic categories of mental illness, family dynamics, substance abuse and human sexuality; considerable knowledge of social, cultural, economic, political, religious, medical, psychological and legal issues which influence behavior of clients, families, service programs, and society at large; knowledge of statutes, regulations and standards relating to mental health, and the PSRB; knowledge of state law governing professional standards for their respective disciplines; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to independently apply in practice current psychiatric treatment modalities including but not limited to behavioral, cognitive, object-relations, crisis intervention, and psychosocial rehabilitation approaches; ability to integrate theory and case material in assessing and devising comprehensive treatment and/or service plans for difficult and/or complex cases; ability to collaborate with in- and outpatient treatment teams; ability to effectively lead interdisciplinary meetings and arrive at a consensus.

A Master’s Degree in a mental health or related health care discipline and three (3) years of experience providing assessment, treatment planning, and direct treatment services to persons with severe and prolonged psychiatric disabilities.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, certifications or permits during employment in this class.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in designated positions.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communications in designated positions.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to be a certified substance abuse counselor.
5. Incumbents in this class will be required to travel.

Incumbents in the class may be exposed to some risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive clients.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.