Mental Health Assistant 2

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 ~ River Valley Services is recruiting for two Mental Health Assistant 2 positions within Young Adult Services (YAS),  Community Living Services.  These positions are part-time, 20 hours weekly.  The schedule is 3rd shift, 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. with the following rotation:

• Position Number 124750 - Week 1:  Sun., Mon. & Week 2:  Fri., Sat., Wed. 
• Position Number 83075 - Week 1:  Sat., Sun., Thurs. & Week 2: Fri., Wed.

YAS provides clinical case management and supported employment services for individuals aged 18-26, responding to the specific developmental challenges of this age group.  A component of YAS, the Community Living Services provides services to young adults in supervised and supported apartments.  The Community Living Services is located in Portland, CT.

The State of Connecticut offers competitive benefits plans and promotes a harmonious work/life balance!

You will discover the opportunity to:

• Work independently on the unit; 
• Develope life skills in individual and group settings; 
• Supervise, support and monitor clients in managing risk issues and coping skills: 
• Transport clients to appointments and activities; 
• Provide mentoring activities to increase social skills; 
• Participate in the implementation and monitoring of positive behavioral plans, support with vocational and educational goals through job coaching, tutoring and bus training.  
• Promote life skill development which includes actively participating and partnering with young adults to endure they develop and master skills necessary for a successful transition to independent community living; and 
• Work as part of a professional team to assist young adults in the achievement of recovery goals by providing client-centered care in a trauma-sensitive environment while using the ARC model approach to treatment.

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.

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.

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.

Three (3) years' experience at the level of Mental Health Assistant 1.

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.

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 infectious and/or /communicable 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.