STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Client/Patient)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #230830-9147SH-001

Go Back View Benefits

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 team! 

THE POSITION:
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking an experienced Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within Southeastern Mental Health Authority for their Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team.

HIGHLIGHTS:
  • FACILITY: Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA)
  • ADDRESS: 401 West Thames Street, Norwich, CT
  • SCHEDULE: 1st shift, 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
  • POSITION NUMBER: 139941
ABOUT US:
The DMHAS, Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) seeks a qualified individual for the position of Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Coordinator, Position No. 139941. The position is within ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) Team. The ACT Team is a multidisciplinary clinical team that delivers comprehensive services to clients who are diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and whose needs have not been met by more traditional service delivery approaches. We are located at 401 West Thames Street, Norwich, CT.  As noted above, this is a full-time, 40.00 hours per week position. The work schedule is 1st shift, 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday.

Our mission at 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.

WHAT IS 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;
  • A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings; 
  • Retirement healthcare offerings; 
  • Accrued vacation, personal and sick leave; 
  • 13 paid holidays per calendar year; 
  • Professional growth and development opportunities; and
  • Outstanding work-life balance!         
    DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
    • Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals
    • Provide support that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve
    • Assist our clients so they can achieve success
    • Make a difference in the public sector
    • Work together in a collaborative team environment
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
    Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) is a community mental health agency operated by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Its primary goal is to provide high quality behavioral health services to those in our community with mental health and substance use disorders who are 18 years or older and reside in New London County and its surrounding towns. Services, which include case management, outpatient behavioral health, crisis intervention, respite care, and forensic services, are recovery oriented and offered in a trauma informed and culturally sensitive manner.  We support individuals to identify and achieve their own goals in recovery, fostering independence, dignity, and ability

    The ACT Team is a multidisciplinary clinical team that delivers comprehensive services to clients who are diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and whose needs have not been met by more traditional service delivery approaches. Individuals served by the ACT team have often experienced frequent psychiatric hospitalization and use of hospital emergency rooms, involvement with the criminal justice system, substance abuse, and lack of engagement with traditional outpatient services. By basing treatment in the community, the team can better assist the client with challenges they face. The team provides community support services interwoven with treatment and rehabilitative services and regularly scheduled team meetings with the goal of individualizing client care.

    Selection Plan


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

    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.
    • 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.
    • 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 Ellen Devlin at Ellen.Devlin@ct.gov

    PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

    In a state facility or institution this class is accountable for providing vocational rehabilitation counseling services to a caseload of clients and/or patients.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • Evaluates patients for vocational rehabilitation services; 
    • Establishes community contacts; 
    • Facilitates vocational training and retraining; 
    • Works with treatment teams to assist individual patients in achieving social, emotional and vocational stability; 
    • Maintains case records and other pertinent material; 
    • Prepares state and federal reports concerning rehabilitation services rendered; 
    • Administers and interprets psychological tests pertaining to vocational abilities; 
    • Refers clients to in-hospital rehabilitation modalities such as pre-vocational evaluation, industrial and recreational workshops; 
    • Follows up on placements made in institution or community; 
    • Carries an on-going case load; 
    • May administer Employee Assistance Program; 
    • Performs related duties as required.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Knowledge of
      • principles and practices of rehabilitation counseling, interviewing, psychological and occupational testing; 
      • symptoms of alcoholism and rehabilitative remedies or treatments; 
      • community resources; 
      • occupations and labor market in assigned area; 
    • Skills
      • interpersonal skills; 
      • oral and written communication skills; 
    • Considerable ability to gather, analyze, and evaluate significant case information pertinent to rehabilitation of an individual; 
    • Ability to write complete and concise case reports; 
    • Supervisory ability.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    Six (6) years of technical or professional experience in rehabilitation counseling or related counseling fields which involve dealing with emotional problems of individuals or vocational adjustment.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

    • College training 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.
    • A Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, vocational or educational guidance or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience working in the community with clients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and substance abuse disorders
    • Experience teaching daily living skills, such as money management, food management, home management, and accessing transportation with clients in the community
    • Experience in facilitating groups  
    • Experience working with clients in accessing community resources and in securing and maintaining housing
    • Experience working with clients who are pre-contemplative and contemplative in their recovery

    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.




    E-mailPhone: (860) 713-52058am - 5pm M-FPowered by JobAps