STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Health Services Social Work Consultant (35 Hour)

Hybrid

Recruitment #260416-0235HC-001

Introduction

Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you looking to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!  

The State of ConnecticutDepartment of Public Health (DPH), Health Care Quality & Safety Section is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Health Services Social Work Consultant.

Within the Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section (PLIS) of the Health Care Quality & Safety Branch, the Health Services Social Work Consultant is responsible for performing investigations of complaints referred to the Department related to individual practitioners and/or entities regulated by the Department that may impact public health and safety.

About the Practitioner Investigations Unit: This unit is part of the Practitioner Licensing and Investigations Section (PLIS) and Healthcare Quality & Safety Branch.  PLIS is responsible for ensuring a safe and competent health care workforce by licensing health care practitioners and investigating complaints received about individual providers.  PLIS licenses nearly 70 professions.

                                                                    

Highlights:
  • LOCATION: Hartford, CT 
  • SCHEDULEFull-Time, First Shift, 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday.
What We Can Offer You: 

You Will Discover The Opportunity To:

  • Engage in a rewarding career;
  • Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
  • Thrive in an exciting environment;
  • Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment.

The Role:


The incumbent will be accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in assisting and conduction investigations related to alleged violations of state laws and regulations and complaints filed with the Department.


Job duties include but are not limited to:

  • Interviewing witnesses;
  • Securing evidence in the form of statements, documents and records;
  • Examining, analyzing and evaluating records;
  • Researching, collecting and evaluating data;
  • Compiling information and writing reports;
  • Answering public inquires;
  • Preparing affidavits;
  • Testifying at hearings and in court.

      About Us: 

      The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy, preventing disease, injury, and disability, and promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state. 

      DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.

      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 Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.  

      Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

      PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

      In the Departments of Public Health and Social Services this class is accountable for providing specialized consultation regarding the social work component of programs in various health care facilities, community social service agencies and school systems.

      EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

      • Provides specialized consultation with regard to social work standards of practice as they relate to mandated state and federal regulations to a variety of health care facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric care facilities, day care centers, home health care agencies, etc.; 
      • Develops standards for social work practice in programs for children with special health care needs; 
      • Provides consultation to community service agencies to provide for continuing improvement in social work services and programs; 
      • Reviews all previous inspection documentation and survey information for possible history of deficiencies; 
      • Coordinates inspection survey schedules with other consultants (e.g. dietary, nursing, pharmacy, recreation, etc.); 
      • Conducts on site inspections including review and audit of social work policies, social work job descriptions, personnel qualifications, clinical records, quality assurance programs, etc.; 
      • Participates in inspection team meetings with other consultants to discuss survey findings; 
      • Conducts exit interviews with facility administrators and directors of social work to review findings and cite deficiencies and violations; 
      • Prepares written inspection reports for facilities; 
      • Reviews facility plan of correction and provides technical assistance with regard to interpretation of federal and state regulations; 
      • Conducts on site follow up inspections to ensure adherence to plan of correction; 
      • Participates in social work task forces and committees; 
      • Provides consultation to other department staff with regard to social work practices; 
      • Establishes guidelines and drafts public health code regulations for social work services in health care facilities and day care centers which promote health psychosocial functioning; 
      • Consults with social work professionals in state to ensure compliance with guidelines and regulations; 
      • Organizes and participates in conferences and workshops concerning community health services; 
      • May testify in court regarding inspection findings; 
      • May speak to professional and lay groups; 
      • Performs related duties as required.

      KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

      • Considerable knowledge of
        • and ability to apply relevant State and Federal laws, statutes and regulations; 
        • skills, practices and procedures of professional social work with emphasis on medical/social casework; 
        • various economic, emotional, medical, psychological and social factors influencing behavior; 
        • social factors relating to disease and methods of eliminating or minimizing adverse social, emotional and/or psychological factors; 
        • community organizations and resources including social, health and educational services;
      • Considerable
        • interpersonal skills; 
        • oral and written communication skills.

      MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

      A Master's degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and two (2) years of professional postgraduate social work experience.

      NOTE: Professional social work experience shall include the use of professional interviewing techniques, provision of skilled therapeutic counseling to an assigned caseload and assessment of basic client needs (nutritional, environmental, financial, medical, protective services, etc.) through continuing personal observation during home visits and intervention.

      MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

      One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a hospital, medical or public health program.

      PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

      • Experience with social work scope of practice, state and federal regulations, governing standards of the social work profession and ethical guidelines for social workers.
      • Experience working with individuals with physical, mental health and behavioral health issues.
      • Experience with substance use disorders.
      • Formal training or experience employing investigative techniques.
      • Experience testifying in Court or at administrative hearings.
      • Experience independently writing professional correspondence and reports that document facts and convey analysis of facts.
      • Experience using a personal computer, databases and Microsoft Office Suite including TEAMS and sharing documents.

      SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

      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.

      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.


      Click on a link below to apply for this position:

      Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet.