Introduction
Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector?
If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our hospital’s team!
HIGHLIGHTS:
- SCHEDULE: Full-Time (40 Hours), First Shift 8:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M.), Monday-Friday
- FACILITY: River Valley Services (RVS)
- UNIT: Respite Program
- ADDRESS: 351 Silver Street, Middletown, CT
- POSITION NUMBER: 26145
DISCOVER THE OPPPORTUNITY TO:
- Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals;
- Provide support 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; and
- Work together in a collaborative team environment.
ABOUT US:
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.
River Valley Services (RVS), a community mental health center serving Middlesex County and the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme, is operated by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). RVS’s goal is to provide 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.
PLEASE NOTE:
Start with us. Stay with us. Grow with us.
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
Please Note: In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting by the closing date listed on the job posting.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- Salary Calculations: 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.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Nicole Frascatore via Nicole.Frascatore@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, community behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for the administration of a designated number of wards or units or a major clinical training program for mental health assistants. In outpatient divisions and community programs or clinics this class is accountable for the direct supervision of mental health assistants and/or independently performing a full range of advanced para-professional functions in case management and crisis intervention services or the administration of a complex program component.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
In community/outpatient mental health programs:
- Coordinates and facilitates the activities of clients;
- Functions as team member of a case management or crisis team or program;
- Participates in the assessment, crisis intervention and monitoring of clients in the community at large (i.e., ERs, jails, homeless shelters, outpatient programs, etc.);
- Assists clients in acquiring daily living skills, budgeting, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills;
- Provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision;
- Applies accepted standards of behavioral health care to clients;
- Supervises staff of lesser grades or other disciplines;
- Provides clinical therapeutic counseling and/or preventive education services to community groups and individuals, including the development and administration of curriculum on various issues relevant to the community;
- Independently participates in community outreach programs that include crisis interventions, case management and/or family support in home settings;
- Participates as a liaison to community agencies;
- Makes arrangements for outpatient appointments;
- Provides information on department philosophy and objectives;
- May perform problem-solving techniques with clients in their natural environment;
- May assist in the motivation of long-term clients in small groups hospital programs or in community;
- May coordinate crisis-intervention plans to circumvent hospitalization;
- May support and supervise clients in transitional living facilities;
- May assess families in need of respite care programs;
- Performs direct client care functions and other related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Considerable knowledge of
- acceptable standards of nursing care;
- psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles, practices, and procedures;
- dynamics of individual and group behavior;
- Knowledge of
- supervisory and administrative methods and techniques;
- hygiene and sanitation;
- security, safety, and fire procedures;
- community resources and programs;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Observation skills;
- Considerable ability to apply the principles of therapeutic counseling;
- Ability to
- lead staff;
- supervise client activity;
- direct others in the formulation of plans for client care;
- interpret and implement agency/facility policies and procedures;
- organize;
- coordinate and collaborate effectively with individuals, groups and families;
- train and teach;
- effectively handle emergency situations independently.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Three (3) years of experience at the level of a Mental Health Assistant 2, Licensed Practical Nurse or its equivalent in a psychiatric setting.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
- College training in mental health technology, a behavioral science, social work, rehabilitation therapy, or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.
- Completion of a mental health trainee certificate program may be substituted for one-half (1/2) year of the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience providing leadership to paraprofessional staff.
- Experience providing behavioral health services within outpatient and community-based settings.
- Experience working with individuals with mental illness, addictions and trauma.
- Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team/program.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents may be required to lift and restrain clients; may have significant exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury; may be exposed to strongly disagreeable conditions.
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.