STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Postdoctoral Fellow - Psychology Department (Clinical) (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #230530-6628FL-001

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! 

THE POSITION
The State of ConnecticutDepartment of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking an experienced and qualified Postdoctoral Fellow - Psychology Department (Clinical) to join their team. 

HIGHLIGHTS
  • FACILITY: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN)
  • ADDRESS: 78 Triangle Street, Danbury, CT 
  • SCHEDULE: Full-time, 40 hours per week, first shift, 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
  • POSITION NUMBER: 101067
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;
  • We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year. 
  • We encourage a strong work/life balance for all state employees. 
  • We offer opportunities for professional and personal growth. 
  • We have limitless areas for you to perform relevant and significant work.
  • As a loan forgiveness organization, you may be able to qualify for one or more State or Federal loan forgiveness programs.
    DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
    • Provide individual and group psychotherapy services to referred clients;
    • Conduct psychological assessments on referred clients;
    • Participate in team discussions of cases;
    • Assess client’s psychological needs and inform the team concerning strategies for interacting with the client given those needs;
    • Document psychological services in treatment plan and progress notes per division/hospital standards; and
    • Provide feedback to client and staff on progress in therapy and assessment findings.
    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. 

    WCMHN was formed in 1996 in order to coordinate clinical, fiscal and administrative oversight of Region 5 contracted and state-operated mental health services. Their mission is to provide a comprehensive and effective recovery-oriented system of mental health and addiction services that promotes self-sufficiency, dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect. 

    Within this service system, there are three state-operated Local Mental Health Authorities, which are located in Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington. In partnership with WCMHN, they provide and coordinate local clinical services. Over 200 staff including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation and mental health workers provide services for persons with a long-term mental illness.  Approximately 7,000 clients receive services in a variety of programs, including peer support programs, recovery services, supported employment, homeless services, residential, crisis services, jail diversion, outpatient, case management, Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTT) and young adult services.  

    Selection Plan

    FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 
    Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

    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.

    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.
    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 State facilities, this class is accountable for the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders or participating in other psychological services involving diagnostic testing, behavior modification, program development and evaluation, community outreach, education and training, rehabilitation and/or research.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    Selects and administers diagnostic tests to patients/clients with psychopathological manifestations; analyzes results of tests and develops treatment plans; conducts individual and group psychotherapy, family counseling and community consultations under supervision; makes recommendations for transfer, discharge and follow up activities; participates in development, implementation and coordination of new service programs; conducts psychological research; writes professional reports; may assist in supervision of psychology interns; performs related duties as required.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    Considerable knowledge of abnormal and clinical psychology with a general knowledge of other psychological disciplines; considerable knowledge of selection, administration, scoring and evaluation of intelligence, achievement, personality and diagnostic tests; knowledge of psychological research techniques; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to make psychological diagnosis and prognosis; ability to conduct psychotherapy; ability to provide consultation and training services; ability to write case histories, discharge summaries and professional reports; ability to relate experimental data to treatment modalities.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

    Applicants must have graduated from an educational program approved by the Board of Examiners of Psychologists with consent of the Commissioner of Public Health. Generally, this will be interpreted as possession of a doctorate degree in psychology from a college or university program which is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or as otherwise determined by the Board and the Commissioner. Applicants possessing degrees from other than APA accredited programs must first gain acceptance from the Department of Public Health.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    A doctorate degree in clinical or counseling psychology as indicated above and completion of a one (1) year clinical internship.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience with clinical psychology and diagnostic testing
    • Experience treating complex clients with severe and persistent mental health illness including trauma and substance use disorders
    • Experience with evidence-based treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing
    • Experience with psychological testing, interpretation and assessment
    • Experience with interpretation of clinical records
    • Experience with clinical documentation including behavioral support plans, treatment plans and discharge summaries

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

    1. Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of the American Sign Language.
    2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

    WORKING CONDITIONS

    Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain patients/ clients; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury from assaultive/abusive patients/clients; may be exposed to 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.