Introduction
Our mission at
the State of Connecticut, Department of
Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is a health care agency whose mission
is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health
needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and
efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and
self-sufficiency in those we serve.
Are you a
self-starter? Do you have a passion for supporting others? Do you
want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal
health care environment in the public sector? If so, we want you to join
us!
The DMHAS,
River Valley Services (RVS) is currently
recruiting for a part-time Mental Health Assistant 2 within the Respite
Unit. This position is located at 1000 Silver Street in Middletown,
CT. The work schedule is 3rd shift, 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., every other
weekend and holidays with the following rotation: Week One – Saturday,
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday / Week Two – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. The
position number is 115044.
Our goal at
RVS is to provide the highest quality crisis intervention, case management, and
residential and clinical services to adult citizens, 18 years of age and older,
who suffer from serious mental disorders and who lack the financial means to
secure such services in the private sector.
Respite is a
co-ed unit consisting of eight beds and provides short-term residential service
to individuals who are undergoing severe psychological distress, but who do not
require an inpatient level of care. We ensure the safety and well-being
of our clients. These clients are stepping down from hospitals or are
there as part of a plan to avoid hospitalization. Clients are at heightened
risk and in need of 24-hour care and support.
You will discover the opportunity to:
- Work as part
of a multi-disciplinary team to provide comprehensive client-centered
services in a recovery-oriented trauma-sensitive environment;
- Provide
close monitoring to assist in management of risk issues and development of
coping skills;
- Mentor activities
both on and off the unit; and
- Monitor
client activities and changes in mental status, behaviors, coping skills
and overall comfort level through observation, regular contact and
documentation.
Selection Plan
This position will be filled in
accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer,
promotion and merit employment rules.
Candidates who meet the
Minimum Qualifications - as listed on the job opening - will be considered for
this role, as determined by qualifications stated on the submitted
application.
The immediate vacancy is listed
above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future
vacancies in this job class.
All State employees shall follow
the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a).
The minimum experience and
training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless
otherwise specified.
Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we
are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment
process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.
This posting may require
completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via
an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by
visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires
section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's
expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status
Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily
basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a
user's spam.
Although applicants will receive
correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to
their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all
emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
Note: At any point during
the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional
documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.
These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews,
attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion
of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as
indicated to apply for this position.
Should you have questions
pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Doreen Clemson at Doreen.Clemson@ct.gov or (860) 785-9855.
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, community behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for leading Mental Health Assistants in the assessment, planning and implementation of paraprofessional nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions designed to support client short and/or long-term needs. In outpatient or community programs this class is accountable for independently performing the full range of paraprofessional functions in case management and crisis intervention services.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Participates in assigned nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions to meet client short and long-term needs; advocates for services or resources that meet client needs and preferences; observes and records client behavior; prepares incident and accident reports; monitors client progress; assists client with decision making and problem solving; assists client in learning and utilizing daily living skills, budgeting, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills; acts as a role model and instructs staff in crisis intervention techniques; develops goal directed relationships with individuals and/or groups; identifies and facilitates use of appropriate support networks; investigates alternative placement for client; participates in education and training activities to further skill development; participates in admission and discharge planning activities; protects civil rights of client; maintains a safe and healthy environment; may coordinate and direct programs and activities for a group of clients; performs related duties as required.
Community and/or Outpatient Programs: Functions as a team member of a case management or crisis intervention team; participates in assessment crisis, monitoring within facility or community at large (i.e. emergency rooms jails, homeless shelters, outpatients programs, etc.); provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision; identifies and reinforces client skills, strengths, resources and preferences; applies accepted standards of nursing care to clients; participates in community outreach programs that include crisis intervention and family contact in home settings; identifies and accesses wide range of community resources; participates as a liaison to community agencies; makes arrangements for outpatient appointments; consults with care givers in other facilities regarding crisis intervention techniques; manages client behaviors through verbal communication when necessary; may problem solve with clients in community.
Inpatient Ward or Unit: Leads, trains and participates in training and development of Mental Health Assistants and other assigned employees; participates in developing and maintaining a therapeutic milieu; coordinates maintenance of a safe and healthy living environment; participates in meeting psychological and physical needs of client; identifies client strengths and assists in development of treatment plans; orients new client to ward or unit; participates in team nursing activities and development of nursing care and rehabilitation programs; may supervise self-administration of oral medications; may assist with data collection.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles, practices and procedures; considerable knowledge of acceptable standards of nursing care; knowledge of dynamics of human behavior; knowledge of hygiene and sanitation; knowledge of safety and fire procedures and security measures; knowledge of community resources and programs; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable communication skills; considerable counseling skills; observation skills; ability to lead staff; ability to supervise client activity; ability to interpret and implement agency and/or facility policies and procedures; ability to apply principles of therapeutic counseling under supervision; ability to develop curricula and instruct groups; organizational ability; ability to understand, interpret and carry out oral and written instructions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Three (3) years' experience at the level of Mental Health Assistant 1.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
1. College training in mental health technology, a behavioral science, social work, rehabilitation therapy or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling six (6) months of experience to a maximum of two (2) years.
2. Completion of a mental health trainee certificate program may be substituted for six (6) months of the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Our preferred
candidate will possess the following:
- Experience
working in a short-term residential unit for patients/clients undergoing severe
psychological distress.
- Experience
working with patients/clients suffering severe psychological distress who are
working on a plan to avoid hospitalization and/or stepping down from
hospitalization.
- Experience
completing initial assessments for patients/clients with acute psychiatric and
acute addictive problems.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
2 . Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
Conclusion
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.
