Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Client/Patient)

The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services seeks qualified individuals for the position of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, within the Whiting Forensic Hospital - Whiting Max and Dutcher Service.  POSITION #24143 LOCATION: Whiting Forensic Hospital - Whiting Max and Dutcher Service - 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT  06457.   This is a full-time, forty (40) hour per week position within the Whiting Forensic Hospital - 1st Shift.  The schedule will be:  Week 1: Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday OFF; Monday: 11:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Week 2: Friday and Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sunday and Monday: OFF; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  

The individual will work in both Whiting Max and the Dutcher Service and will be asked to work evening hours as needed and potentially work 2 Saturdays a month.  This is a hazardous duty position.

Please ensure that your application is complete as you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.  Applicants invited to interview will be requested to supply the following: last two (2) performance appraisals (current state employees only) or two (2) professional letters of reference (non-state employees).

Questions regarding this position should be directed to Joann K. Castaldo, DMHAS HR, (860) 262-7121 or joann.castaldo@ct.gov.

In a state facility or institution, this class is accountable for providing vocational rehabilitation counseling services to a caseload of clients and/or patients.

Evaluates patients for vocational rehabilitation services; establishes community contacts; facilitates vocational training and retraining; works with treatment teams to assist individual patients in achieving social, emotional and vocational stability; maintains case records and other pertinent material; prepares state and federal reports concerning rehabilitation services rendered; administers and interprets psychological tests pertaining to vocational abilities; refers clients to in-hospital rehabilitation modalities such as pre-vocational evaluation, industrial and recreational work shops; follows up on placements made in institution or community; carries an on-going case load; may administer Employees Assistance Program; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of principles and techniques of rehabilitation counseling, interviewing, psychological and occupational testing; knowledge of symptoms of alcoholism and rehabilitative remedies or treatments; knowledge of community resources; knowledge of occupations and labor market in assigned area; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to gather, analyze, and evaluate significant case information pertinent to rehabilitation of an individual; ability to write complete and concise case reports; some supervisory ability.

Six (6) years of technical or professional experience in rehabilitation counseling or related counseling fields which involve dealing with emotional problems of individuals or vocational adjustment.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, vocational or educational guidance or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Bilingual/Spanish-Speaking and hospital-based experience preferred

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.