STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Clinical Social Worker (35 Hour)

Recruitment #210615-0966HC-004

Introduction

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.

Are you a self-starter? 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! 

The DMHAS, Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC) is currently recruiting for a Clinical Social Worker for the Clinical Psychiatry Unit.  This position is located at the New Haven Court House, 235 Church Street, New Haven, CT. It is a full time, 35 hours per week position.  The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The position number is 26620.


Our vision at CMHC is to treat people with mental illness in their communities, provide a place for researchers from many fields to find new treatments, and teach professionals in the care of mental illness.  We are an urban community mental health center with an exceptional 30-year tradition of serving individuals with serious mental illness.  Founded in 1966, our facility cares for more than 5,000 people a year in a variety of services.  We treat individuals suffering from severe and persistent psychosis, depression, anxiety, addictions (including alcoholism, cocaine, and gambling) and those with co-existing mental health and addiction problems. 

In this role you will discover the opportunity to: 

  • Conduct evaluations of persons arrested; 
  • Formulate a treatment and referral plan to present to the court and follow the client through the legal disposition of the case; 
  • Liaison with treating clinicians and referral services; 
  • Present case with the plan for referral to the court and to officers of the court, Department of Corrections, DMHAS CT Valley Hospital (CVH) and CMHC, area emergency rooms and Yale New Haven Hospital; 
  • Follow up status reports are required on a bimonthly schedule until final disposition of the case (approximately 4 to 18 months) for a case load of around 50 open cases; and 
  • Liaison with probation, Court Support Services Division, parole, CVH, and other clinicians and treatment facilities and residential services. 
Our employees participate in a generous and competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off! We encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees.

Selection Plan

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. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

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. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

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. 

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

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 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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Licensure as a clinical social worker in the State of Connecticut.

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 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this 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.