STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation) (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #240215-6896FP-001

Introduction


Passionate about rehabilitation therapy?
Elevate your career as a Rehabilitation Therapist 2 and play a pivotal role in providing specialized care to individuals with diverse needs.
Join our team of dedicated professionals - apply today!

Join the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) as a Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation)! We are recruiting for two (2) experienced individuals to join our team! Dive into a world of impactful healthcare, where your skills and compassion make a difference. Explore the details below and seize the opportunity to be a part of something meaningful!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS: 
  • DIVISION: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)
  • FACILITY: Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center (GBCMHC)
  • ADDRESS: 1635 Central Ave, Bridgeport, CT
  • POSITION NUMBERS: 121731 & 131242
  • SCHEDULE: Full-time (40 hours weekly), with the following rotating schedule for both positions: 
  Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Week 1 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Off Off 1:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Week 2 Off Off 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
  • Join an Award-Winning Team: Be part of the prestigious Forbes-ranked State of Connecticut, recognized as one of the Best Employers of 2023. Experience national acclaim for providing unparalleled job growth, competitive benefits, and flexible schedules.
  • Platinum Healthcare Excellence: Enjoy the nation's top-rated healthcare plan for state employees and their dependents. Our Platinum Healthcare Plan, ranked the best by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and endorsed by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., ensures comprehensive coverage and well-being for you and your family.
  • Secure Your Future: Benefit from our robust pension plan and explore supplemental retirement offerings, ensuring a secure and comfortable future for you and your loved ones.
  • Invest in Your Education and Future: As a Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, the State of Connecticut supports your educational journey. You may qualify for student loan forgiveness after just 10 years of dedicated service. Learn more here.
  • Time for What Matters: Embrace a healthy work-life balance with generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year. Prioritize your well-being and make the most of your personal time. 
  • Unlock Your Potential: Grow professionally with a range of development opportunities. The State of Connecticut is committed to nurturing your skills and helping you reach new heights in your career.
  • Cultivate Balance: We believe in a healthy work/life balance for all our employees. Join us in fostering an environment where your professional and personal lives harmonize, allowing you to thrive in both.
    DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
    • Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals
    • Provide support to a division that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve
    • Assist our clients so they can achieve success
    • Make a difference in the public sector
    • Work together in a collaborative team environment
    MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND DIVISION:
    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.

    With three locations throughout Fairfield County, Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System promotes and administers comprehensive recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs with 62 beds and a wide range of outpatient clinical services, as well as additional supportive treatment services. 

    Start With Us. Stay With Us. Grow With Us.


    Selection Plan

    FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
    Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
    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.
    • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
    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 Alyssa Hovanec via email at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.

    PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

    In a state facility this class is accountable for the planning, administration, implementation and evaluation of professional therapy programs in a recognized therapeutic discipline for individuals with an intellectual disability, emotional disabilities and physical disabilities.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • Selects, plans, administers and implements a therapeutic program by utilizing a specific therapy function to teach skills to correct disorders in intellectual, emotional or motor status of an individual;
    • Writes and implements treatment plans;
    • Plans, schedules and conducts individual and group activities;
    • Actively participates in admission, treatment and discharge planning of an individual;
    • Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings presenting cases and discussing future treatment goals and objectives for an individual;
    • Participates in institutional, professional and community groups and/or task forces;
    • Participates in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary committees;
    • Trains and supervises staff and individuals in application of a specific discipline;
    • Provides in-service training to other staff;
    • Attends and participates in workshops and conferences;
    • Gathers and uses data from observation and diagnostic tests to develop goals and new activities;
    • Coordinates therapy services with other disciplines such as occupational or physical therapy;
    • Selects appropriate materials and implements a therapeutic program to meet needs of individual;
    • Maintains and orders equipment;
    • Observes, records and evaluates individual progress;
    • May transport and escort individuals to community functions;
    • May teach direct care and paraprofessional staff in application of a specific therapy;
    • May make adaptive equipment;
    • May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional;
    • Performs related duties as required.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of the therapeutic recreation discipline;
    • Knowledge of
      • physical and intellectual disorders;
      • individual and group dynamics;
    • Considerable
      • interpersonal skills;
      • oral and written communication skills;
    • Skill in evaluating individual needs.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    Five (5) years of professional experience in the appropriate professional rehabilitation therapy program specialty performing such activities as program evaluation, planning and application for individuals with an intellectual disability, emotional disabilities and physical disabilities.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

    • College training in the appropriate recognized therapeutic recreation discipline 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.
    • One (1) year of experience at the level of a Rehabilitation Therapist 1 or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience. 

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience writing and implementing treatment plans
    • Experience conducting individual and group activities
    • Experience working in a behavioral health inpatient setting
    • Experience recording and evaluating client and/or patient progress
    • Experience interpreting evaluations in specialty areas

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

    • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (W.S.I.), and/or life saving (CPR, First Aid) from the American Red Cross.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain positions.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

    WORKING CONDITIONS

    Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury and moderately disagreeable conditions while providing treatment to individuals with disabilities.

    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.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

    As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.