STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Certified Addiction Counselor (Multiple Positions)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #230519-2351FX-001

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Introduction

Do you want to work with a comprehensive team of caring professionals? 
If so, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

THE POSITION:
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking seven qualified individuals for the position of Certified Addiction Counselor to join their team.

HIGHLIGHTS:
  • FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
  • LOCATION: Addiction Services Division
  • ADDRESS: 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT
  • SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 hours Weekly
  • SHIFTS: 1st and 2nd 
The unit locations and schedules are as follows:

  • Merritt Admission/Screening:
    • 2nd shift | 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. | Sunday through Thursday (PCN 136842)
    • 2nd shift | 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. | Tuesday through Saturday (PCN 136843)
  • Merritt 4B:
    • 1st shift | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Sunday through Thursday (PCN 23916)
    • 2nd shift | 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Tuesday through Saturday (PCN 114579)
  • Merritt 3 A/B:
    • 1st shift | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Tuesday through Saturday (PCN 25397)
    • 2nd shift | 1:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. | Tuesday through Saturday (PCN 101193)
  • Merritt 2 A/B:
    • 1st shift | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Sunday through Thursday (PCN 114581)

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU: 
  • To work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule; 
  • Industry leading health benefits plan with medical and dental coverage;
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings; 
  • Retirement healthcare offerings; 
  • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year; 
  • Professional growth and development opportunities; and 
  • A healthy work-life balance! 
NOTE: DMHAS is a loan forgiveness organization, you may be able to qualify for one or more State or Federal loan forgiveness programs.

AS A CERTIFIED ADDICTION COUNSELOR YOU WILL: 
  • Provide assessment/screening services to alcohol and drug dependent patients to determine treatment service needs; 
  • Provide substance abuse counseling services to address patient's recovery; 
  • Provide case management services, utilizing internal and external resources, to ensure integrated comprehensive services; 
  • Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment; 
  • Develop, implement, and monitor a psychoeducational program for clients, families, and others; and 
  • Serve as a member of inter- and intra-disciplinary teams.
OUR MISSION:
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. We promote and administer comprehensive, recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment throughout Connecticut.  

ABOUT THE UNITS:

ADMISSION/SCREENING: 
Admissions come from a variety of locations including the community, local hospitals, Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHA), as well as through the court system.   We serve adult men and women 18 years of age or older with moderate to severe levels of alcohol or other drug dependence. Eligible clients are medically indigent and have complications directly or indirectly associated with their substance dependence such that outpatient care is either inappropriate and/or not likely to be successful.  These conditions can include complex medical needs, functional behavioral deficits, recidivism and co-occurring psychiatric disorders.  

MERRITT 4B: 
This is a withdrawal management unit providing care for people requiring the most intensive level of addiction services (American Society of Addiction Medicine/A.S.A.M. level. 4.0 and 3.7.)  This unit specializes in the treatment of patients with co-occurring disorders and serves up to 30 clients over the age of 18; offering a full range of medication-assisted treatment.

MERRIT 3 A/B AND 2 A/B: 
Both are a 30-bed rehabilitation unit providing 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. 

Come join our comprehensive team of caring professionals and help our clients move into the recovery zone. 

Interested in knowing more about becoming a State of Connecticut employee, check out the video below!  



Selection Plan

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID-19 Vaccination Immunization.

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.
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 Jensine Tran at Jensine.Tran@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Veterans' Affairs this class is accountable for providing specialized counseling services to clients in a behavioral health treatment program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Provides counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients; screens clients to determine eligibility for programs; assesses strengths, weaknesses and treatment needs; orients clients to treatment program; participates in treatment planning and individual and/or group counseling; responsible for case management activities; provides crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress; makes referrals to outside or other programs for medical and/or psychological intervention; maintains confidential reports and records of client data; represents program at community events and seminars; educates clients on substance abuse issues and availability of resources; consults with service providers to assure comprehensive integrated care; may escort clients; may provide coverage duties; may collect urine for drug screening; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse; knowledge of counseling principles and techniques; knowledge of community resources; knowledge of confidentiality provisions; some knowledge of infectious diseases; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of an individual.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three (3) years of experience involving risk reduction education and counseling to assist alcohol and drug dependent individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  1. Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor may be substituted for the General Experience.
  2. For state employees three (3) years as a Certified Addiction Counselor Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients. 
  • Experience in facilitating group counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients. 
  • Experience with other agency service providers and community outreach.  
  • Experience with case management activities. 
  • Experience with discharge planning.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.
  2. Individuals recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs are required to have two (2) years of substance free time to be considered for a position in a substance abuse program.
  3. Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language.
  4. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid driver's license.
  5. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

A medical and/or psychiatric examination may be required prior to appointment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to perform moderate amounts of lifting or restraining of patients and exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive patients.

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.



Click on a link below to apply for this position:

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


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