STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Mental Health Assistant 1 (40 Hour)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #220514-5724FK-001

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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 looking for the next step in your career? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to be a part of our team, committed to the goal of making a difference for individuals with mental health challenges! 

The DMHAS, Capitol Region Mental Health Center (CRMHC), is currently seeking a qualified individual for the position of Mental Health Assistant 1 for our Inpatient Treatment Unit located at 500 Vine Street in Hartford, CT. This  position is full-time, 40 hours weekly.  The work schedule is 3rd shift, 12:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., every other weekend.  The position number is 111790.  This position is open to State of Connecticut employees only. 



CRMHC is a community based mental health center, operated by DMHAS, which provides an array of innovative clinical and community support services to individuals with a psychiatric disability, in many cases with co-occurring problems of substance abuse. The Inpatient Treatment Unit is a sixteen bed inpatient care unit which operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The major function of the program is to provide inpatient services to people from the CRMHC service area with a focus on those who are uninsured, who cannot obtain services from other providers, and are served by CRMHC.  This program provides a broad range of services including medication management, individual and group therapy, occupational therapy, and recreational interventions.  The average length of stay in this program is about 180 days.

In this role you will discover the opportunity to: 

  • Be a member of a multidisciplinary team providing direct care to inpatient patient with severe mental illness as they transition to the community; 
  • Perform assignments under appropriate supervision such as assisting patients in learning and practicing daily living skills, providing individual and group supportive treatment, and assisting in the management of patient behaviors using supportive verbal communication; and 
  • Serve in an active role in motivating patients to activity participate in therapeutic activities by developing personal treatment goals that include discharge planning. 
As a State employee, we offer the same competitive benefits you are accustomed to. We encourage a healthy work-life balance for all employees! 

*New hires to the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 shall be paid an hourly rate of $24.43.  Upon successful completion of the working test period, effective the payroll period following, the Employee shall be compensated at an hourly rate of $25.61. Employees who have previously completed a working test period in an 1199-covered direct-care position shall not be subject to this reduced training rate upon transfer or promotion.   

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization.

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 minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 

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

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. 

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

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. 

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. 

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. 

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

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 Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for assisting in the assessment, planning and implementation of paraprofessional nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions designed to support clients short and/or long term needs.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Participates in assigned nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions to meet client short and long term needs; advocates for services or resources that meet client needs and preferences; assists client in developing effective strategies for managing internal and external stress; routinely solicits personal goals and preferences; identifies and facilitates use of appropriate support networks; participates in education and training activities to further skill development; participates in admission and discharge planning activities; protects civil rights of client; maintains a safe and healthy environment; may manage client behaviors through verbal communication as needed; performs related duties as required.

COMMUNITY OR PUTPATIENT PROGRAMS: Functions as a member of a case management team or program; participates in assessment, crisis intervention and monitoring of clients in community at large (i.e. emergency rooms, jails, homeless shelters, outpatient programs, etc.); assists client in learning and practicing daily living skills, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills; provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision.

INPATIENT WARD OR UNIT: Communicates and interacts with clients; participates in development of nursing care and treatment plans; encourages client to participate in therapeutic activities; observes and records client behavior and prepares pertinent reports; participates in on-going education and training programs; may participate in follow up of client in community based services; may supervise self-administration of oral medication.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of acceptable standards of nursing care; knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles and procedures; knowledge of community support systems and resources; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable communication skills; considerable counseling skills; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year's experience at the level of Mental Health Trainee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. An Associate's degree in mental health technology may be substituted for the General Experience.
2. Two (2) years of college training in a behavioral science, social work, rehabilitation therapy or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience.
3. One (1) year of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist providing peer support to agency clients may be substituted for the General Experience.
4. Completion of a mental health trainee certificate program may be substituted for six (6) months of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Our preferred candidate will possess the following: 

  • Experience providing direct care to clients with severe and persistent mental illness in a behavioral health setting.
  • Experience obtaining pertinent client information such as vital signs, and documenting the values in the client medical record.
  • Experience working with clients who have the potential to harm themselves or others including potential risk elements within the environment.
  • Experience managing difficult clients/patients with mental health issues using de-escalation techniques.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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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