STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Recovery Support Specialist Trainee (35 Hour)

Recruitment #210923-5728HN-001

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Introduction



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 Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) seeks a qualified individual for the position of Recovery Support Specialist Trainee (PCN 127935) within the Wellness Recovery Advocacy Program (WRAP) located at 401 West Thames Street, Building 301, Norwich, CT. The work schedule is 1st Shift, 8:00am – 3:30pm; Monday through Friday, 35 hours per week.

In this role you will conduct skills training and recovery focused self-help groups with the goal of helping clients promote recovery from a bio-psycho-social aspect. You will also assist in engaging clients in their own recovery journeys, engage in community resources and self-help groups, maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu within the Agency, and assist clients in defining and achieving personal goals and recovery plans.

The Recovery Support Specialist serves as a role model to teach recovery principles and shared life- experiences to others to demonstrated hope and opportunities for change and growth to others in recovery, assists people in recovery in knowing and exercising their rights, provides rehabilitative case management services and education in the community and documents client interactions, including progress towards goal achievement and independence, assists clients to manage stress and frustrations in their recovery journey by providing supportive one-on-one coaching, counseling and referrals to self-help groups such as AA or NA and other outside services client may need.

Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) is a community mental health agency operated by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Its primary goal is to provide high quality behavioral health services to those in our community with mental health and substance use disorders who are 18 years or older and reside in New London County and its surrounding towns.

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.
 
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.

*After completion of six (6) months of successful and satisfactory performance as a Recovery Support Specialist Trainee, an incumbent will be moved to the Recovery Specialist Support Specialist classification, HN 14 Step 1 (On the first pay period following the completion of the six (6) month requirement).

Selection Plan

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

State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a).

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
 
Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. 

Candidates that are extended an interview should bring three letters of recommendation, preferably supervisory.

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
 
This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.

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

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chanhda.Ly@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for using shared life experiences and recovery management techniques to engage, motivate, educate, and mentor clients in achieving individualized goals for successful community living.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Guides clients through the process of defining personal goals for clients' recovery plans using existing evidence based workbooks or person centered planning tools; supports and guides clients in following tasks outlined in recovery plan (i.e. pursuing goals related to employment, education, community involvement and the use of natural supports); guides clients in identifying and exercising their rights; participates in rehabilitative and recovery oriented interventions to meet clients’ needs and goals; provides information and support to clients and encourages their development of community networks and activities relating to community integration; provides instruction and skill training in recovery management to clients and families; acts as a peer health navigator to engage clients who have or are at risk for co-morbid medical conditions in wellness activities; supports clients to secure information about resources relevant to their wellness; supports clients in obtaining services that meet clients recovery needs; supports clients in dealing with internal and external stress; attends medical/clinical appointments with clients in a peer capacity; accompanies clients as peers on volunteer opportunities and activities; organizes and conducts workshops on topics related to recovery and wellness including New Employee Orientation at the local level; may coach adaptive client behaviors through verbal communication; observes and reports clients’ behavior; prepares and submits incident or other related forms; updates clients’ notes in the medical record as required; enters computerized data as required; may provide outreach and transportation; performs related duties as required.

Inpatient Settings: In addition to the duties listed above, the duties move from providing one-on-one peer support to teaching coping and community adjustment skills and linking the client with important community resources, and include the following:

• Accompanies clients off the unit and onto the hospital campus or community to practice entering unexpected situations and managing stress and disorientation.
• Accompanies clients on day passes to the community to acclimate the client to their new community.
• May provide coverage at Peer Desk Center to engage and offer peer support to the general hospital population.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of community support systems and resources; knowledge of person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning and other recovery management techniques; some knowledge of the principles and procedures of psychiatric rehabilitation; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to observe and redirect client behavior; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Completion of the Recovery Support Specialist Certification.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with Community Support Program Model; 
  • Experience with applying for Department of Social Services and Social Security benefits and experience working in the community to assist mental health substance abuse clients.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain Recovery Support Specialist Certification.
2. Incumbents must adhere to the DMHAS Peer Support Ethical Guidelines.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
5. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

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.





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