Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Coordinator (Client/Patient)

Do you have a passion for supporting others? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? If so, we want you to join us as a Client/Patient Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Coordinator!

The Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) is currently recruiting for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Coordinator (Client/Patient) (PCN 26184), to work with our Young Adult Services (YAS) program, at 401 West Thames Street in Norwich. This position is first shift, full time, 40 hours per week. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

We are looking for someone who will:

• Be responsible for overseeing vocational services within YAS Program and other SMHA Programs (i.e. ACT, WRAP, and Options).
• Provide training, support, and consultation to SMHA teams around employment services, including the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Model.
• Monitor and track vocational and educational referrals from SMHA teams to the SMHA Supported Employment/PNP Network.
• Take a lead role in preparing SMHA and the SMHA Supported Employment Network for IPS Fidelity Audits conducted by OOC DMHAS.
• Attend Pupil Placement Team (PPT) meetings with various school systems. Assist clients in obtaining their high school diploma or Graduate Equivalency Degree, obtaining vocational/trade training, and/or registering for college.
• Facilitate quarterly meeting with the Department of Rehabilitative Services (formerly Bureau of Rehabilitative Services) in order to discuss referrals, review client progress, address employment barriers, and discuss ways to improve communication and coordination.
• Monitor YAS/SMHA and SMHA Supported Employment Network employment data, including referrals, employment capacity numbers/caseloads, agency/network discharges, vocational staffing, and waiting lists.
• Meet with area colleges and universities to establish collaborative relationships as a foundation for future client referrals to higher education.

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.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has permanent state status* and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period. For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

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.

In a state agency this class is accountable for supervising and/or coordinating a vocational rehabilitation program or centralized vocational rehabilitation unit for patients/clients.

Plans, establishes, maintains, and evaluates a network of services for clients experiencing difficult and complex vocational adjustment and rehabilitation problems; identifies appropriate vocational rehabilitation programs both within agency and community and investigates eligibility requirements of such programs; evaluates potential of handicapped individuals to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services; assesses vocational rehabilitation needs of clients and develops treatment plans; monitors implementation of treatment plans; provides professional counseling services to a caseload of individuals experiencing the most difficult and complex vocational rehabilitation and vocational adjustment problems; maintains case records on assigned caseload; prepares reports concerning rehabilitation services rendered; may administer and interpret psychological tests as they pertain to vocational interests and abilities; may provide consultative services to community agencies; may speak before lay and professional groups; performs related duties as required.

As the working supervisor of a centralized vocational rehabilitation unit of a state agency or institution, plans, directs, and monitors provision of services to specified groups of clients presenting difficult and complex rehabilitation and vocational adjustment problems; assigns caseloads to staff; provides technical assistance and consultation to staff; reviews work and evaluates performance of staff; assesses inservice training needs and trains staff; assesses vocational rehabilitation needs of clients various methods; develops for and/or with clients vocational rehabilitation treatment plans and monitors their implementation; refers clients to institutional and/or community rehabilitation modalities; follows up on client progress and performance; supervises maintenance of case records and files; prepares reports concerning vocational services rendered; may direct vocationally oriented group sessions such as sheltered workshops; may provide individual and group counseling services to a small caseload of individuals experiencing the most difficult and complex vocational rehabilitation and vocational adjustment problems; may coordinate Special Educational and/or individualized educational programs between institution and local public school system; may speak before lay and professional groups; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of principles and techniques of vocational rehabilitation counseling and interviewing; knowledge of vocational rehabilitation process; knowledge of relevant state and federal laws and regulations; knowledge of psychological and occupational testing; knowledge of rehabilitative remedies and treatment; knowledge of community resources available to meet rehabilitative needs of individuals; knowledge of labor market major occupational groups and their required qualifications; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to gather, analyze and evaluate significant case information pertinent to rehabilitation of individuals; ability to prepare reports and maintain files and records; some supervisory ability.

Eight (8) years of experience in vocational rehabilitation counseling or related fields which involve dealing with problems of individual behavior in relation to vocational adjustment.

1. College training 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.
2. A Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, vocational guidance, or a related behavioral science may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. For State employees, two (2) years of experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor(Client/Patient) may be substituted for the General Experience.

Incumbents in this class in the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services may be required to possess a Master's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation or a closely related field.

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.