STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Community Clinician (40 Hour)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #220523-0967FP-001

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 looking to make an impact on the lives of adults with behavioral health disorders? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join and be a part of our vibrant and dynamic team! 

The DMHAS, Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN) seeks a qualified individual for a meaningful role as a Community Clinician (PCN 133681). This role is assigned to the Respite Residential Program, which is a 15-bed acute care unit. This position is located at 192 Grandview Avenue, Building A, Waterbury, CT 06708.  The work schedule is 2nd shift, 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM, Monday through Friday.  This position is open to State of Connecticut employees only. 

Our mission at WCMHN is to provide a comprehensive and effective recovery-oriented system of mental health and addiction services that promotes self-sufficiency, dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect. 

As a Community Clinician, discover the opportunity to: 

  • Work collaboratively with contract agencies, providing support, consultation and oversight of services provided;
  • Lead paraprofessional staff in providing a therapeutic environment for clients with serious and persistent psychiatric and addiction diagnoses, and to offer appropriate interventions including life skills;
  • Develop and implement programming for clients in community living, behavioral health & wellness, daily living skills, and in reducing crises on site;
  • Provide appropriate interventions to clients in crisis and collaborate with the Mobile Crisis Team, and local hospitals when necessary;
  • Conduct all aspects of work in alignment with the DMHAS Recovery Model and provide trauma-sensitive services; and
  • Be a dynamic team member of a multidisciplinary program.
We participate in a 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.

*This salary range may increase effective July 1, 2022.

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.govor (860) 785-9855.  

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, community based behavioral health program, this class is accountable for providing clinical assessment and evaluation of treatment programs for an on-going primary caseload of clients for a behavioral health treatment team.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Functions primarily to implement treatment plans for clients on caseload; provides case management services to clients; assists clients in linking with community support systems and agencies; monitors clients progress within mental health and community support systems; performs intake, evaluation and assessment of treatment programs under supervision of a licensed independent practitioner; participates in counseling sessions; provides education and training to clients in community living and activities of daily living skills; monitors clients medication compliance and coordinates meetings with team psychiatrists or nurses as necessary; provides appropriate interventions to clients in crisis including outreach, counseling and/or referral to other service providers; completes all required documentation related to client treatment in accordance with established procedures; may transport clients to and from appointments; may assist in development of treatment plans for new clients; may administer medication; may provide nursing consultation and/or input; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of behavioral health counseling techniques; knowledge of social work methodology, casework, group work and community mobilization; knowledge of family dynamics and dynamics of interpersonal relationships; knowledge of social, cultural, economic, medical, psychological and legal issues which influence attitudes and behaviors of clients and families; knowledge of community resources available to individuals and families; knowledge of approaches to treatment; knowledge of psychotropic and addiction medications; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to prepare clear and concise reports and case histories.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Bachelor’s degree in a health care field and two (2) years of experience working independently using clinical case management techniques in a Behavioral Health setting.

Note: Case management is defined as primary responsibility for the implementation, monitoring, evaluation and assessment of client progress towards meeting treatment objectives as outlined in an approved treatment plan.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. A Master’s degree in counseling, psychology or other clinical discipline may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

2. A current Connecticut license as a registered professional nurse and two (2) years of experience working in a psychiatric setting may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree.

3. A Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) and two (2) years at or above the level of a Mental Health Assistant 2 independently performing the full range of paraprofessional case management in a Behavioral Health setting may be substituted for the General Experience.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with trauma models of treatment.
  • Experience with substance use models and treatment.
  • Experience with behavioral counseling techniques.
  • Experience with individual & group work, family dynamics.
  • Experience with conflict resolution. 
  • Experience with Electronic Health records.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain licensure or certification in designated positions.

2. Incumbents in this class may be required to be a certified substance abuse counselor.

3. Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in designated positions.

4. Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in designated positions.

5. 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.