STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation) (37.5 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #260804-6896XC-001

Introduction

Agency Banner, Connecticut Mental Health and Addiction Services

Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified individual to join our team as a Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation) (PCN 136801). Find out more information on this great opportunity below!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Unit: Merritt 2AB
  • Schedule: First Shift, Sunday - Thursday
  • Work Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
  • Location: 39 Tynan Cir, Middletown, CT
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
8:30AM to 4:30PM 8:30AM to 4:30PM 11:30AM to 7:30PM 8:30AM to 4:30PM 8:30AM to 4:30PM off off
Table Lists Weekly Schedule

Merritt 2AB is a 30-bed Residential Rehabilitation Program (ASAM level of care 3.7R) for adults that offers structured and safe environment for persons in early stages of recovery.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
  • Conduct comprehensive therapeutic recreation assessments to identify patient strengths, needs, functional abilities, and recovery goals.
  • Develop and implement individualized, evidence‑based treatment plans that support patient engagement, clinical objectives, and long‑term recovery.
  • Facilitate structured therapeutic interventions designed to enhance coping skills, promote healthy leisure participation, and address complex psychosocial needs.
  • Modify treatment approaches in real time based on patient presentation, progress, and changing clinical needs within a fast-paced day program environment.
  • Collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary treatment team to ensure coordinated, patient‑centered care and consistent communication about treatment planning.
  • Monitor, document, and evaluate patient progress, adjusting interventions to promote meaningful outcomes and successful community reintegration.
  • Contribute to a recovery-oriented care environment by providing compassionate support, fostering motivation, and promoting engagement in therapeutic programming.
  • Utilize person-specific interventions to address barriers to recovery, encourage functional independence, and enhance overall quality of life.
MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:

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.

The Connecticut Valley Hospital boasts a rich history first opening its doors over 150 years ago in 1868. As the State’s public hospital we provide treatment of mental illness and currently comprised of 18 inpatient units over two campuses (Middletown and Hartford). In our operational framework, recovery is defined as a process of restoring or developing a positive and meaningful sense of identity apart from one’s condition and then rebuilding one’s life in the fullest sense. Recovery is an individualized patient-centered approach. Achieving and maintaining an optimal state of health and wellness is integrated in our recovery approach. Individuals acquire and practice life skills that will assist them in their recovery process.

The Merritt 2AB Program offers treatment for clients with co-occurring disorders and provides effective combination of medical, psychiatric, and counseling services to address clients’ individual needs based on their readiness to change. Program specializes in trauma informed/ gender responsive care and utilizes variety of evidence based clinical approaches and treatment modalities to provide holistic care. Clients are offered at a minimum 30 hours of treatment each week including individual, group and family counseling, gender specific groups, recovery education, wellness therapies,12 step meetings and full range of Medication Assisted Treatment. The length of stay varies and is based on clients’ individual needs. Upon completion of treatment each client is connected to aftercare services either in residential or outpatient setting based on individual needs and preferences.

Start with us! Stay with us! Grow with us!

Please note:
Career progression pathway within the State of Connecticut: starting with Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant 1, advancing to Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant 2, then Rehabilitation Therapist 1 (Therapeutic Recreation), then Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation) [outlined to show the current opening], then Rehabilitation Therapy Supervisor 1, and ending at Rehabilitation Therapy Supervisor 2.

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.
  • This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.

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 Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@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 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 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.
  • One (1) year of experience at the level of a Rehabilitation Therapist 1 (Therapeutic Recreation) or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience conducting individual and group treatment in a substance use/behavioral health inpatient treatment setting.
  • Experience recording and evaluating client progress, including completion of assessments.
  • Possess a Master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Therapy, or Recreation and Leisure Studies (with a Therapeutic Recreation concentration).
  • Certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI), and/or life-saving (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 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.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

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