Mental Health Assistant 1 (35 Hour)

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. 

The DMHAS, CT Valley Hospital (CVH) seeks applications for Mental Health Assistant 1 positions within the General Psychiatry Division. These positions are located at 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT 06457. 

The work schedule and shift of these positions are on any of the following:

• 1st shift, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• 2nd shift, 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• 3rd shift, 11:15 p.m. to 7:15 a.m.

All positions are full-time, 35 hours per week with a rotation of 72-72-80 – ever other weekend and holidays.

These positions are located on the following inpatient units:

• Battell 2 North – is a co-ed unit with 22 clients.  It offers treatment options of social skills learning to clients with a primary diagnoses identified as Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective.
• Battell 3 North – is an intensive treatment unit with 22 co-ed clients.  This unit specializes in the treatment of individuals with a refractory psychiatric illness who have not responded to treatment in less restrictive or less structured settings.
• Battell 4 North - is an all-male transitional rehab unit with 22 clients.  This unit includes a gamut of psychiatric diagnoses and symptoms with a focus on male clients who are involved with some community transition and reintegration into the community.
• Battell 2 South – is a co-ed unit with 22 clients.  This unit specializes in a gamut of serious persistent mental illnesses and symptoms on this general psychiatry unit.
• Battell 3 South – is a co-ed unit with 22 clients.  This unit specializes in a gamut of serious persistent mental illnesses and symptoms on this general psychiatric unit.
• Battell 4 South – is a co-ed unit with 22 clients.  This unit specializes in a gamut of serious persistent mental illnesses and symptoms.  The clients are admitted through DMHAS psychiatric and forensic services along with the general hospitals and the community.
• Woodward 1 North – is geriatric services with 15 co-ed clients.  This unit specializes in clients who are over 60 years of age or who have an early onset of neuro-cognitive changes associated with all forms of dementia and/or progressive neuro-cognitive disorders.
• Woodward 2 North – is geriatric services with 15 male clients.  This unit serves males over 60 years old with early onset of neuro-cognitive changes associated with all forms of dementia.  This unit works collaboratively with Nursing homes to meet the variety of needs of our older population.
• Woodward 1 South – is geriatric services with 15 male clients.  This unit specializes in patients who are over 60 years of age and have an onset of neuro-cognitive changes associated with all forms of dementia or progressive neuro-cognitive disorders.
• Woodward 2 South – is a co-ed unit with 15 clients specializing in the assessment and treatment of clients with both mental illness and an acquired brain injury (ABI).
• Merritt 4D – is a Young Adult Services (YAS) co-ed unit with 17 clients ages 18-25 designed to stabilize and treat a variety of mental health issues through innovative and age-appropriate groups and activities.
• Cottage – is a residential program providing 10 adult clients with the focus of recovery and learning by assisting these adults with mental health symptoms the necessary life skills to live successfully outside of an institutional setting.

*New hires shall be paid an hourly rate of $23.03. Upon successful completion of the working test period, effective the payroll period following, the Employee shall be compensated at an hourly rate of $24.14.

Applicants interested in any/all positions assigned to the schedule, shift and work locations listed above MUST apply to this posting. This recruitment pool will be used to fill Mental Health Assistant 1 positions throughout Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) for duration of up to 6 months from the closing date of this posting. You will not be able to apply to Mental Health Assistant 1 positions at CVH after the closing date of this recruitment until the recruitment pool has been exhausted and a new recruitment is posted.

Candidates will be able to identify schedule, shift and work locations preferences later in the recruitment process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening by the closing date of this posting and must specify their qualifications on their application.

Please be sure your application is complete as you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting into the JobAps system.

Applicants invited to interview will be requested to supply a copy of their driver’s license.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Doreen.Clemson@ct.gov or (860) 262-7116.

In a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for assisting in the assessment, planning and implementation of paraprofessional nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions designed to support clients short and/or long term needs.

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; assists client in developing effective strategies for managing internal and external stress; routinely solicits personal goals and preferences; identifies and facilitates use of appropriate support networks; 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 manage client behaviors through verbal communication as needed; performs related duties as required.

COMMUNITY OR OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS: Functions as a member of a case management team or program; participates in assessment, crisis intervention and monitoring of clients in community at large (i.e. emergency rooms, jails, homeless shelters, outpatient programs, etc.); assists client in learning and practicing daily living skills, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills; provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision.

INPATIENT WARD OR UNIT: Communicates and interacts with clients; participates in development of nursing care and treatment plans; encourages client to participate in therapeutic activities; observes and records client behavior and prepares pertinent reports; participates in on-going education and training programs; may participate in follow up of client in community based services; may supervise self-administration of oral medication.

Knowledge of acceptable standards of nursing care; knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles and procedures; knowledge of community support systems and resources; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable communication skills; considerable counseling skills; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

One (1) year's experience at the level of Mental Health Trainee.

1. An Associate's degree in mental health technology may be substituted for the General Experience.
2. Two (2) years of college training in a behavioral science, social work, rehabilitation therapy or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience.
3. One (1) year of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist providing peer support to agency clients may be substituted for the General Experience.
4. Completion of a mental health trainee certificate program may be substituted for six (6) months of the General Experience.

Preference will be given to individuals who possess licensure as a Certified Nursing Assistant with psychiatric experience.

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.

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients and may have significant exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases, strongly disagreeable conditions and risk of injury.

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.