STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Certified Addiction Counselor (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #220729-2351FX-001

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Introduction



ABOUT US 
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 River Valley Services (RVS) provides the highest quality crisis intervention, case management, and residential and clinical services to adult citizens, 18 years of age and older, who suffer from serious mental disorders and who lack the financial means to secure such services in the private sector. Services are directed at improving clients’ quality of life and fostering dignity, ability, and recovery. We are dedicated to promoting a complete and responsive service system for our clients and others in need. All persons receiving services from RVS have the right to culturally appropriate mental health and addiction services consistent with their communication needs and personal preferences. Translation and interpreter services are available at RVS. 
THE POSITION 
We are seeking an experienced and qualified individual for the position of Certified Addiction Counselor to serve within our newly established Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) for Recovery Team in Middletown.  This position is critical to provide psychiatric care to the most at risk individuals living in community-based settings. Duties include individual and group therapy, clinical assessment, crisis intervention, life skills development, recovery planning, and family work. This is a full time, first shift position with a work schedule of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8:00am to 4:00pm and Thursday and Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm.  The position number is 133622.

The ACT team treats individuals who are at risk of homelessness, incarceration, victimization and psychiatric hospitalization due to serious and complex mental health and substance related conditions further complicated by early and prolonged exposure to trauma. The number of people in need of mental health services has rapidly increased over recent years and these services are critical to ensure people have access to essential clinical care. 

In this role, discover the opportunity to: 
  • Conduct and/or oversee counseling services to clients with behavioral health and substance-related conditions including alcohol and drug dependency as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Provide outreach and engagement to foster therapeutic relationships.
  • Utilize best practice approaches including motivational interviewing.
  • Provide consultation and support to the teams regarding expertise. 
  • Provide a full array of clinical and case management services. 
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
  • We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year. 
  • We encourage a strong work/life balance for all state employees. 
  • We offer opportunities for professional and personal growth. 
  • We have limitless areas for you to perform relevant and significant work. 
Watch the video below to learn more about making an impaCT by serving the state of Connecticut.
            

Selection Plan

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization.
TO APPLY
  • 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.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • 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.
AFTER YOU APPLY
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
CONNECT WITH US
  • 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.
  • Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Pamela Rochette via email Pamela.Rochette@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Veterans' Affairs this class is accountable for providing specialized counseling services to clients in a behavioral health treatment program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Provides counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients; screens clients to determine eligibility for programs; assesses strengths, weaknesses and treatment needs; orients clients to treatment program; participates in treatment planning and individual and/or group counseling; responsible for case management activities; provides crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress; makes referrals to outside or other programs for medical and/or psychological intervention; maintains confidential reports and records of client data; represents program at community events and seminars; educates clients on substance abuse issues and availability of resources; consults with service providers to assure comprehensive integrated care; may escort clients; may provide coverage duties; may collect urine for drug screening; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse; knowledge of counseling principles and techniques; knowledge of community resources; knowledge of confidentiality provisions; some knowledge of infectious diseases; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of an individual.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three (3) years of experience involving risk reduction education and counseling to assist alcohol and drug dependent individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  1. Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor may be substituted for the General Experience.
  2. For state employees three (3) years as a Certified Addiction Counselor Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience working in community-based settings with clients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
  • Experience connecting clients to various levels of substance abuse treatment, such as inpatient detoxification, rehabilitation, methadone maintenance, etc.
  • Experience facilitating substance abuse groups and individual substance abuse counseling.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.
  2. Individuals recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs are required to have two (2) years of substance free time to be considered for a position in a substance abuse program.
  3. Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language.
  4. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid driver's license.
  5. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

A medical and/or psychiatric examination may be required prior to appointment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to perform moderate amounts of lifting or restraining of patients and exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive patients.

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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