STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Clinical Social Worker Associate (32 Hour)

Part Time

Recruitment #210105-0965FP-002

Introduction


Are you ready to take the next step in your Social Work career, while continuing to make a difference in the lives of others? If so, We have an excellent opportunity for you to join our team of individuals committed to the goal of making a difference for individuals with mental health challenges!

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.

Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN) is seeking qualified individuals for the position of Clinical Social Worker Associate (PCN 126050) within the Torrington Access Center, located at 249 Winsted Road in Torrington, CT. This is a part-time, 32 hour per week position. The work schedule is 2nd shift, 3:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Friday through Monday.

In this role, you will be a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team that is responsible for performing crisis evaluations and interventions in the community. As part of the Mobile Crisis team, this individual will assess risk in the community, formulate and write crisis assessments and emergency certificates. Also, you will provide coverage for the Regional Hotline and will access/triage/activate resources for people who request information, support or crisis intervention. 


WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL:
  • Provide intake services to the 19 towns in the Catchment Area Council (CAC) 22 area by completing a psychosocial assessment risk assessment and other admission paperwork for the purpose of admitting clients to the agency.
  • Communicate and work collaboratively with contract agencies, community providers, DMHAS, community hospitals, and law enforcement regarding linkage and provision of client care.
  • Be responsible for developing, implementing and facilitating person-centered recovery plans for client care, or to manage risk in the community. 
  • Provide coverage for the Jail Diversion program as assigned. This includes: performing assessments and clinical recommendations for treatment of clients awaiting arraignment, and as requested by the court. Also, will liaison to area psychiatric and substance abuse services for support and communication of care coordination.
  • Participate in case conferences and critical incident reviews. 
  • Document treatment in the electronic health record, and will complete reports and screenings in accordance with agency policies and procedures. 
  • Provide clinical supervision for the Access Center & Intake team as assigned by the Program supervisor. This may include Social Work and Access Center staff, students, and interns preparing for licensure.

The Access Center is an information and referral source for individuals with psychiatric and related substance issues. Access Center staff is available by telephone for support, information, referrals, and mobile outreach. The goal is to provide support and information to reduce symptomatology, and to improve quality of life. Its philosophy is to maintain the individual in the least restrictive environment. Access Center staff is also available to do intake/assessment by referral to determine service needs and treatment options for an individual.

Our employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, and a retirement plan, as well as paid time off! We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

*You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position. Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

As a reminder:

  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.
  • 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.
  • Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.
  • Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

For more information, we encourage you to contact the recruiter for this position, Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov, (860) 924-7053.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency behavioral health program as part of a multi-disciplinary team at one or more locations this class is accountable for skilled clinical social work treatment and leadership services involving complex case assignments.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Independently provides highly skilled direct clinical social work treatment and/or substance abuse services to clients with complex psychological and social problems through comprehensive clinical assessments and provision of individual, family and group treatment; provides individual field work instruction and/or clinical supervision which includes instruction in use of comprehensive psychosocial assessments and current diagnostic categories, taking into consideration cultural, social, economic, medical, environmental and legal issues; develops comprehensive service plans including measurable treatment objectives; initiates consultation and collaboration with other mental health providers to improve delivery of current services and/or identify unmet needs within current service system; assists in resolution of administrative, personnel and clinical issues in program and/or agency; develops data for statistical and planning systems and/or research and publication; prepares administrative reports and suggests operational policies and procedures; oversees development and/or implementation of individual client treatment and/or service plans; may be assigned administrative oversight of research projects; may provide clinical and/or administrative leadership to program components such as crisis intervention teams, inpatient treatment teams, case management teams, psychoeducational program services, psychosocial rehabilitation and forensic services; may provide forensic evaluations and expert testimony to courts; may represent program or agency during licensing and certification inspections conducted by regulatory bodies; may represent program or agency in liaison relationships with other community agencies and resources; may provide in-service educational presentations concerning available health, mental health and human services resources and means to access them; may chair facility or community based committees that develop policies and plans to serve psychiatrically disabled individuals; may present information on mental illness and mental health services to community groups; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to instruct others about theories of human behavior, current diagnostic categories of mental illness, family dynamics, substance abuse and human sexuality; considerable knowledge of social, cultural, economic, political, religious, medical, psychological and legal issues which influence behavior of clients, families, service programs and society at large; knowledge of statutes, regulations and standards relating to mental health services; knowledge of state law governing licensed clinical social worker practice standards; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable administrative skills; considerable ability to independently apply in practice current psychiatric treatment modalities including but not limited to behavioral, cognitive, object-relations, crisis intervention and psychosocial rehabilitation approaches; ability to integrate theory and case material in assessing and devising comprehensive treatment and/or service plans for difficult and/or complex case assignments; ability to lead task groups including but not limited to treatment teams and agency committees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

One year of experience as a licensed clinical social worker.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Our ideal candidate will have:
  • Experience performing intake (psychosocial) assessments and initial care planning
  • Experience completing crisis assessments
  • Experience completing risk assessments and developing risk mitigation plans

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  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 designated positions.
  4. Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in designated positions.
  5. Incumbents in this class may be required to be a certified Substance Abuse/HIV Supervisor.
  6. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

Conclusion

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.