Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation) (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 Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS), 1635 Central Ave, Bridgeport CT, 06610, seeks qualified individuals for the position of Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation) (PCN 90364).  The RT2 will support patients on an inpatient, Co-Occurring treatment program that provides a safe, supportive and highly structured hospital level of care, with emphasis on community re-entry. The position is responsible for the planning, implementation and evaluation of rehabilitation activities for the SWCMHS rehabilitation therapy program. This is a full time position, 35 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m.– 4:00 p.m., with one evening shift on Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

The SWCMHS, with three locations throughout Fairfield County, promotes and administers comprehensive recovery oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinical services, as well as a wide range of additional supportive treatment services.    

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your resume within the "Resume Tab" of your application.  You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.

At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include performance reviews, attendance, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. You do not have to attach these documents to your application submission.

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Sharon Ferguson, DMHAS HR at MHA-DMHAS-Recruitment@ct.gov or (203) 551-7078.

In a state facility this class is accountable for the planning, administration, implementation and evaluation of professional therapy programs in a recognized therapeutic discipline for persons with physical, mental and emotional disabilities.

Selects, plans, administers and implements a therapeutic program by utilizing a specific therapy function to teach skills to correct disorders in mental, emotional or motor status of a client and/or patient; writes and implements treatment plans; plans, schedules and conducts individual and group activities; actively participates in admission, treatment and discharge planning of a client and/or patient; participates in interdisciplinary team meetings presenting cases and discussing future treatment goals and objectives for a client and/or patient; participates in institutional, professional and community groups and/or task forces; participates in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary committees; trains and supervises staff and clients in application of a specific discipline; provides inservice training to other staff; attends and participates in workshops and conferences; gathers and uses data from observation and diagnostic tests to develop goals and new activities; coordinates therapy services with other disciplines such as occupational or physical therapy; selects appropriate materials and implements a therapeutic program to meet needs of client and/or patient; maintains and orders equipment; observes, records and evaluates client and/or patient progress; may transport and escort clients and/or patients to community functions; may teach direct care and paraprofessional staff in application of a specific therapy; may make adaptive equipment; may serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of a designated therapeutic discipline; knowledge of physical, mental and psychosocial disorders; knowledge of individual and group dynamics; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; skill in evaluating client needs.

Five (5) years of professional experience in the appropriate professional rehabilitation therapy program specialty performing such activities as program evaluation, planning and application for persons with mental, emotional and physical disabilities.
Note: For state employees this will be interpreted as one (1) year of experience at the level of Rehabilitation Therapist 1 or its equivalent.

College training in the appropriate recognized therapeutic discipline indicated by the parenthetical title 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.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (W.S.I.), and/or life saving (CPR, First Aid) from the American Red Cross.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain positions.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury and moderately disagreeable conditions while providing treatment to clients/ patients.

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.