Introduction
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make an impact and advance your career?
Join us and be part of a revolutionary team shaping the future!
THE POSITION
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is now hiring for a Rehabilitation Therapist 1 (Therapeutic Recreation) to join their team! In this role, you will help individuals build confidence, develop essential life skills, and take meaningful steps toward returning to their communities. This position is an excellent opportunity for someone who is motivated, compassionate, and passionate about supporting others on their recovery journey.
HIGHLIGHTS
- FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
- DIVISION: Addiction Services
- UNIT: Merritt 3AB
- LOCATION: Middletown, CT
- SCHEDULE: Full-time, 37.5 Hours per week, First shift, with the following hours:
- Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
- POSITION NUMBER: 24898
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
- Engage in a rewarding career helping individuals strengthen their recovery and daily living skills
- Connect with clients through engaging group activities that promote confidence, independence, and personal growth
- Support clients as they work toward achieving meaningful goals in their recovery journey
- Make a lasting impact in the public sector by contributing to compassionate, person-centered care
- Work closely with a collaborative team of professionals, sharing insights and fostering a positive, encouraging 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.
Established in 1868, CVH serves as the State's premier public hospital for mental health treatment. As the largest facility within DMHAS, it features 17 inpatient units across Middletown and Hartford campuses, encompassing general psychiatry and addiction services. CVH offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment, and specialized services for pregnant women and individuals with dual diagnoses. Specialties include geriatric and special services, an integrated mental health network for older adults, and young adult services. Additionally, CVH houses the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program, addressing survivors' needs through community reintegration, independent living skills development, vocational and educational training, psychiatric assessments, speech and physical rehabilitation, and individual and family counseling.
Merritt 3AB is a 30-bed rehabilitation unit providing American Society of Addiction Medicine (A.S.A.M.) level 3.7 intensive rehabilitation treatment. This unit specializes in trauma informed care, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and a variety of other clinical approaches to provide holistic care to the individuals we serve. A full range of medication-assisted treatment is also offered.
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.
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:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
- For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- 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 Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a state facility this class is accountable for the evaluation, planning and application of a recognized therapeutic discipline to provide treatment for individuals with an intellectual disability, emotional disabilities and physical disabilities.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Evaluates individual level of functioning by assessing behavior and reviewing medical, social and emotional case histories;
- Writes and implements treatment plans using a specific modality;
- Conducts individual and group activities, consulting with other professionals and selecting appropriate techniques and materials to teach skills to correct disorders in intellectual, emotional or motor status of an individual;
- Attends case conferences, actively participating in admission, treatment and discharge planning;
- Observes, records and evaluates individual progress;
- Participates in or assists in conducting training programs for staff therapists and rehabilitation and nursing students;
- Uses data from observation and diagnostic evaluations to develop goals and new activities;
- Administers and interprets evaluations in specialty areas;
- Requisitions and distributes supplies;
- Adapts musical, art and recreational equipment used in designated discipline;
- May attend workshops and conferences;
- May transport and escort individuals to off grounds activities;
- May perform prevocational activities with individual;
- May participate in and plan special activities within community;
- May perform duties in individual home or community setting;
- May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Knowledge of
- principles and practices of the therapeutic recreation discipline;
- physical and intellectual disorders;
- individual and group dynamics;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Skill in application of therapeutic techniques.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Four (4) years of professional experience in a professional rehabilitation therapeutic recreation program 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 a 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.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience conducting individual and group treatment
- Experience working in a substance use/behavioral health inpatient treatment setting
- Experience recording and evaluating client progress including completion of assessments
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI), and/or lifesaving (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (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 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 to moderately disagreeable job 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.