STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Safety Education Instructor (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #221110-5552FP-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 you looking to be accountable for assisting in the development and conduct of safety education programs for staff involved in providing behavioral health treatment and services? If you are, we encourage you to apply! 

The Office of the Commissioner (OOC), seeks a qualified and experienced individuals for the position of Safety Education Instructor within the Division of Safety Services (PCNs: 23741/118935). These are full-time, 40 hours per week positions. The work schedules are a non-standard work week (instructors occasionally work evenings and midnight shifts to accommodate training of off-shift employees). We are located on the Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) campus, 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT. 



Within the Division of Safety Services, the Safety Education Instructor will conduct safety education training courses, primarily CPR and Collaborative Safety Strategies (CSS), for all new and existing DMHAS employees, as required by DMHAS policy, and all other regulatory, accrediting, licensing and law-making bodies. These training courses are held at DMHAS facilities located throughout the State. 

The CSS training program provides direct care staff in all treatment settings, including Whiting Forensic Hospital, with the education and skills necessary create and maintain safe environments of care. This training teaches staff how to recognize and prevent patient/client behavior from escalating to physical violence, and how to effectively intervene and restore safety, should dangerous or violent behavior occur. The goal of the CSS training program is to reduce the rate and severity of injury to staff and patients, reduce the use of restraint and seclusion hospital-wide, and to eliminate occasions that may lead to patient abuse and/or neglect. 

Discover the opportunity to:

  • Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals; 
  • Provide support to hospital that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve; 
  • Assist our clients and employees so they can achieve success; 
  • Make a difference in the public sector; and 
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment.   
We participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan, as well as paid time off! We offer outstanding work-life balance and limitless opportunity!

Selection Plan

#INDLP

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

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • 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.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • 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.
Important Next Step Information for 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.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • 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 large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
  • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov, 860-924-7053.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for assisting in the development and implementation of safety education programs for staff providing care or treatment to individuals receiving behavioral services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Conducts educational and safety programs including behavioral management strategies and techniques for agency clinical and support staff; conducts orientation programs for new employees; implements course objectives and curricula; uses most appropriate educational methods to accomplish course objectives; conducts educational sessions utilizing lectures, role playing, seminars, group discussions and audio visual presentations; recommends changes in educational methods and materials to effect improvements; reviews courses to determine effectiveness and appropriateness of contents; may conduct special sessions for staff involved in providing behavioral health services to individuals in private residential facilities, community training homes and community based treatment settings; may assist with assessment of departmental safety training needs; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of principles and practices of safety as related to working in a health care environment; knowledge of principles and practices specific to the care, treatment, and recovery of individuals who have mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders; some knowledge of methods and techniques of implementing and evaluating training programs; some knowledge of methods and techniques applicable to adult learning; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; psychomotor skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in the care and treatment of individuals with mental health, substance use or co-occurring disorders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been instructing or applying skills relevant to employee workplace safety. This may include, but is not limited to, training in the use of effective behavior management and crisis prevention strategies within a healthcare environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
2. Four (4) years experience as a Mental Health Assistant 2 (Inpatient) may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in the care and treatment of individuals receiving mental health or substance use services in an inpatient setting
• Experience instructing CPR and First Aid
• Experience teaching safety education programming
• Experience public speaking

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. May be required to be certified as an American Red Cross Instructor CPR/AED and First Aid
2. 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.