Clinical Social Worker (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.

Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector?   If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our hospital’s team!  

The DMHAS, Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) seeks a qualified individual for the position of Clinical Social Worker within the Young Adult Services Unit (YAS) located at 401 West Thames Street, Norwich, CT.  This is a full-time, 35 hours per week position. The work schedule is 1st shift, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; holidays and weekends off.  The position number is 125960. 

YAS is designed to help young adults (ages 18 to 25) transition successfully from the Department of Children and Families to the adult mental health system and to achieve the necessary skills for adulthood.  In addition, young adults who have been deemed eligible for intensive mental health services through DMHAS may also qualify.  The YAS Program is multi-disciplinary in nature and consists of a prescriber, social workers, nurses, case managers, occupational therapy staff, rehabilitative/recreational therapy staff, and vocational staff. YAS provides a wide array of services including, but not limited to, individual/family/group therapy, case management, life skills development, vocational/educational supports, medication monitoring, community integration, coordination of medical/dental care, and assistance with housing.  In addition, we have residential supports/programs in place through our network providers for young adults who are actively engaged in treatment and determined to be in need of this level of placement.

You will discover the opportunity to:  

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve; Assist our clients so they can achieve success;
• Make a difference in the public sector; and
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

Our employees participate in a generous and competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off!

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.  

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your resume in the “Resume Tab” of your application as you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.  Individuals considered for interview will be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include performance reviews, attendance, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc.  You do not have to attach these documents to your application.  

Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Doreen.Clemson@ct.gov or (860) 785-9855.

In a state agency behavioral health program, as part of a multi-disciplinary team at one or more locations this class is accountable for independently providing clinical social work services.

OFFICE OF HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE, this class is accountable for serving as a case manager and advocate for clients that have received or need to receive behavioral health care services.

As a member of multi-disciplinary clinical team or within a network of community based behavioral health services develops psychosocial assessments through clinical interviews with assigned clients and families which include consideration of developmental, social and/or cultural, substance abuse, psychological, environmental and medical issues; develops treatment plans including measurable treatment objectives; provides clinical treatment services in form of triage, crisis intervention, individual, group and/or family therapy, screening and planning; advocates and develops networks of social and clinical services to assist clients in meeting identified needs; monitors and evaluates effectiveness of treatment plans, documents treatment in clinical records; completes reports in accordance with agency and accrediting bodies; consults and collaborates with other behavioral health providers to improve delivery of services to clients; provides forensic evaluations and court testimony as required; maintains social work treatment and standards as required; may participate in research projects; performs related duties as required.

OFFICE OF HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE: Manages a caseload of consumer behavioral healthcare insurance complaints concerning coverage and/or payment; reviews and assesses medical records including psychological assessment and treatment plans, concerning but not limited to mental, emotional, behavioral and addictive disorders to determine appropriate treatment plans and eligibility for insurance benefit payment; participates in insurance appeal hearings and serves as clinical expert to defend and demonstrate that the diagnostic assessment and treatment plans are appropriate and required to address client behavioral healthcare needs.

Knowledge of social work methodology, casework, group work and community mobilization; knowledge of family and interpersonal relationship dynamics; knowledge of values, sanctions, purposes and ethics of professional social work; knowledge of social, cultural, economic, medical, psychological and legal issues which influence attitudes and behaviors of clients and families; knowledge of mental illnesses and approaches to treatment; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to devise and implement a treatment plan with measurable goals that address client needs; ability to independently apply current psychiatric treatment modalities to address client needs.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

• Experience providing individual, group and/or family therapy to Young Adults Ages 18 through 25 who have mental illness and/or substance abuse; 
• Experience completing comprehensive psychosocial assessments; and
• Experience providing trauma specific treatment.

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice clinical social work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (m) through (r) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
2. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. § 1320a-7b(f).
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in certain designated positions.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in certain designated positions.
5. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive clients.

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.