STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Professional Counselor (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #230911-6355FP-001

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Introduction


Does a role as a Professional Counselor intrigue you?
If so, we have an excellent opportunity to join our team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking three qualified Professional Counselor(s) to join our team within the Addiction Services Division (ASD) at Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH). All three positions are first shift, full-time and have a schedule of Tuesday - Saturday.

Find out more about these great opportunities below!
                                                  
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Work Shift: First shift, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m
  • Location: Merritt Hall, Merritt 4B, 1000 Silver Street, Middletown.
  • PCN: 128305
  • Work Shift: First shift, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m
  • Location: Merritt Hall, Merritt 4B, 1000 Silver Street, Middletown.
  • PCN: 136720
  • Work Shift: First shift, 12:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
  • Location: Blue Hills Social Worker Services Acute Unit, 500 Vine Street, Hartford
  • PCN:27300

Merritt 4B 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.


The mission of the Addictions Services Divisions is to work to stabilize, assist clients in develop coping skills, and help clients move into the recovery zone. 


WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

  • The opportunity 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
  • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees

    Please Note - 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:
    • Develop psychosocial assessments through clinical interviews with assigned clients and families which include consideration of developmental, social and/or cultural, substance abuse, psychological, environmental and medical issues
    • Develop treatment plans including measurable treatment objectives
    • Advocate and develop networks of social and clinical services to assist clients in meeting identified needs
    • Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of treatment plans, documents treatment in clinical records 
    • Provide forensic evaluations and court testimony as required
    • Maintain Professional Counselor treatment and standards as required; 
    • May participate in research projects
    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.

    Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) opened in 1868 as the State’s public hospital for the treatment of persons with mental illness. Today, CVH is the largest of DMHAS facilities, and includes 17 inpatient units over two campuses (Middletown and Hartford). The hospital includes both a general psychiatry and addiction services units.

    CVH provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care and substance abuse treatment, including treatment for pregnant women and persons with dual diagnoses. Specialty areas include geriatric and special services, an integrated network of comprehensive mental health services for older adults and young adult services.  The facility also runs the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program which addresses the needs of TBI survivors, including; reintegration into community living, independent living skills development, vocational and educational training, psychiatric, cognitive and neurological assessment and treatment, speech and physical rehabilitation as well as individual and family counseling.

    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 agency behavioral health program as part of a multi-disciplinary team at one or more locations this class is accountable for independently providing clinical counseling services.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • As a member of a multi-disciplinary clinical team or within a network of community based behavioral health services, provides case management, needs assessment and supportive counseling in addressing client strengths, weaknesses and needs; 
    • Develops, implements and maintains individualized treatment and rehabilitation plans for clients; 
    • Works with treatment teams to assist individual patients in achieving social and emotional stability; 
    • Develops psychosocial assessments through clinical interviews; 
    • Provides clinical treatment services such as: triage, crisis intervention, individual and/or group counseling, screening and planning; 
    • Makes use of available community services and facilities to assist clients in meeting identified needs; 
    • Interprets and synthesizes client information, professional observations and evaluation reports in order to form professional judgments about services; 
    • Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of treatment plans, documents treatment in clinical records; 
    • Completes reports in accordance with agency and accrediting bodies; 
    • Consults and collaborates with other behavioral health providers to improve delivery of services to clients; 
    • Maintains counseling treatment and standards as required; 
    • Performs related duties as required.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Knowledge of
      • principles, methodology, casework and techniques of counseling, interviewing and psychosocial assessment; 
      • family and interpersonal relationship dynamics; 
      • values, sanctions, purposes and ethics of professional counseling work; 
      • community resources; 
    • Considerable
      • interpersonal skills; 
      • oral and written communication skills; 
    • Ability to devise and implement a treatment plan with measurable goals that address client needs.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    Licensure as a professional counselor in the State of Connecticut with some experience working in a behavioral health facility or in a juvenile justice setting.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience creating and developing treatment plans, goals and objectives with clients. 
    • Experience in completing comprehensive psycho-social evaluations.
    • Experience working with dually diagnosed populations. 
    • Experience in performing risk assessments. 
    • Experience in providing group and individual therapy. 
    • Training in evidenced based practices

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

    • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice professional counselor work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (a-f) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in certain designated positions.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in certain designated positions.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

    WORKING CONDITIONS

    Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive clients.

    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.




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