STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Behavioral Health Unit Supervisor (40 Hour)

Recruitment #211230-0452FP-001

Introduction


Are you passionate about caring for our most vulnerable population? Are you looking for the next step in your career? If so, we invite you to learn more about an exciting opportunity at Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)!

We are seeking a qualified Behavioral Health Unit Supervisor (PCN 101058) to work in our General Psychiatry Division. This role is located at Connecticut Valley Hospital, at 1000 Silver Street in Middletown. This is a full-time, 40 hour per week, first shift role. The work schedule is from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., from Monday through Friday. 

The Behavioral Health Unit Supervisor will work in the Battell 3 South unit. Battell 3 South is a general psychiatric unit which treats patients with persistent mental illnesses and symptoms.

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.

The Connecticut Valley Hospital boasts a rich history first opening its doors over 150 years ago in 1868. As the State’s public hospital we provide treatment of mental illness and currently comprised of 18 inpatient units over two campuses (Middletown and Hartford). In our operational framework, recovery is defined as a process of restoring or developing a positive and meaningful sense of identity apart from one’s condition and then rebuilding one’s life in the fullest sense. Recovery is an individualized patient-centered approach. Achieving and maintaining an optimal state of health and wellness is integrated in our recovery approach. Individuals acquire and practice life skills that will assist them in their recovery process.

Selection Plan

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.

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, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

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

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 the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Children and Families in-patient facility, this class is accountable for directing and supervising a multi-shift clinical unit.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Schedules, assigns and oversees the work of a multi-shift unit including direct supervision of all shifts; participates in the development of unit goals and objectives; develops unit procedures and policies; ensures compliance of unit procedures and policies; assists in recruitment, selection, training and development of staff; develops competency-based job descriptions for unit staff; ensures unit staff receive appropriate training; conducts performance appraisals, determines priorities and plans, coordinates and supervises unit activities; ensures cross-shift communication among staff; develops relationships with and acts as liaison to other operating units, agencies and outside officials; participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team to develop, evaluate and monitor programs; coordinates interdisciplinary team meetings; collaborate and direct any necessary alternate treatment; monitors and tracks client care to ensure quality, effectiveness and timeliness of patient care and requisite hours of treatment are met; facilitates bilingual interpretation as needed; identifies barriers and assists in developing strategies and solutions for improving client care; prepares reports; may perform clinical direct care duties; may write client treatment plans; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of behavioral health treatment, principles and values of care; considerable knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles and/or addictions detox rehabilitation; considerable knowledge of entitlement and benefit programs; considerable knowledge of variety of intervention and support strategies; knowledge and ability to apply principles of risk management; knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of societal, cultural and gender issues as they impact upon mental illness; knowledge of psychotropic medications; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable facilitation, collaboration and conflict resolution skills; ability to identify and articulate philosophical foundations for specific program models or service approaches; ability to delegate authority; ability to plan and organize effectively; ability to integrate community resources into service delivery planning; ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with community representatives and staff; supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of professional health care experience in a behavioral health setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at a lead or supervisory level responsible for coordinating the work of a unit or team of professionals in a behavioral health setting.

Note: For State employees, the lead level is interpreted at the level of Clinical Social Work Associate for the social work discipline and Head Nurse for the nursing discipline.  The supervisory level is interpreted at the level of Supervising Addiction Counselor for the substance abuse/addictions discipline. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  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 a health care field related to one of the disciplines in the Special Experience may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Our ideal candidate will have:
  • Licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN), or as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
  • Experience in an In-patient or Hospital setting
  • Experience supervising professional staff members
  • Experience working with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness populations, specifically, Schizophrenia and Schizo-affective

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license as a Clinical Social Worker or as a Registered Professional Nurse or as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the State of Connecticut.
  2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess certification as a clinical supervisor by the Connecticut Certification Board.
  3. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
  4. Incumbents in this class maybe required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients, may have significant exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury and may be exposed to strongly disagreeable conditions.

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.