STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Behavioral Health Unit Supervisor (40 Hour)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #230921-0452FP-001

Introduction


Does a role in leadership intrigue you?
If so, we have an excellent opportunity to join our hospital’s team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified and experienced Behavioral Health Unit Supervisor to join our team in Middletown! Work alongside a team of dedicated professionals and help patients on their path to recovery.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Work Schedule: Full-Time (40 Hours), First Shift, Monday - Friday (8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.)
  • Facility: Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH)
  • Unit: Whiting Unit 2
  • Address: 70 O'Brien Drive, Middletown, CT
  • PCN: 25959
  • Please Note:  This is a Hazardous Duty position.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:

  • As a state employee, we offer the same competitive benefits you are accustomed to. We encourage a healthy work-life balance for all employees!
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:
  • Lead a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals;
  • Oversee the operations of an 18 bed maximum security forensic unit;
  • Develop and maintain close collaborative working relationships with all disciplines involved in the planning and functioning of unit activities; 
  • Provide support to a hospital that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve;
  • Assist our clients and employees so they can achieve success; and
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment. 
              MORE 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.

              ABOUT THE FACILITY:

              Whiting Forensic Hospital provides high quality, comprehensive, and individualized treatment and evaluation services for patients with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings. This is accomplished with full respect for the civil and human rights of each patient. Our goal is to assist individuals to manage their illnesses and achieve personal recovery goals through developing the skills necessary to live safely in the community.

              ABOUT THE UNIT:
              Whiting Unit 2 is a competency restoration unit housed within our maximum security building of Whiting Forensic Hospital, wherein individuals with mental illness/substance use disorders participate in treatment focused on being able to assist in their legal defense.

              Watch the video below to learn more about becoming a DMHAS employee with the State of Connecticut!

              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. 

              FOR THOSE WHO HOLD A RN LICENSE IN A STATE OTHER THAN CONNECTICUT AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A CONNECTICUT LICENSE, PLEASE: 
              1. Review the eligibility and documentation requirements for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license;
              2. Complete a CT DPH online application online (expand the ‘Public Health Practitioners’ grouping, select ‘Registered Nurse’ and then ‘Start’;
              3. Request verification of your out-of-state license(s) electronically through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s :  Nursys® System.  To send verification of your license(s) to CT, read and agree to the terms, enter your biographic information, select your license type and select ‘SEARCH’.  Review the results and select the ‘Next’ button.  Check the box next to  ‘Connecticut’ and complete the transaction.   Once the transaction is completed, you will receive a confirmation email from Nursys and the verification will be available to the DPH.  Note that PA and MI verifications are not provided through Nursys.  Please contact those state boards for information on obtaining verification.
              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 Nicole Frascatore via email at nicole.frascatore@ct.gov.

              PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

              In the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Children and Families in-patient facility, this class is accountable for directing and supervising a multi-shift clinical unit.

              EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

              Schedules, assigns and oversees the work of a multi-shift unit including direct supervision of all shifts; participates in the development of unit goals and objectives; develops unit procedures and policies; ensures compliance of unit procedures and policies; assists in recruitment, selection, training and development of staff; develops competency-based job descriptions for unit staff; ensures unit staff receive appropriate training; conducts performance appraisals, determines priorities and plans, coordinates and supervises unit activities; ensures cross-shift communication among staff; develops relationships with and acts as liaison to other operating units, agencies and outside officials; participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team to develop, evaluate and monitor programs; coordinates interdisciplinary team meetings; collaborate and direct any necessary alternate treatment; monitors and tracks client care to ensure quality, effectiveness and timeliness of patient care and requisite hours of treatment are met; facilitates bilingual interpretation as needed; identifies barriers and assists in developing strategies and solutions for improving client care; prepares reports; may perform clinical direct care duties; may write client treatment plans; performs related duties as required.

              KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

              Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of behavioral health treatment, principles and values of care; considerable knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation principles and/or addictions detox rehabilitation; considerable knowledge of entitlement and benefit programs; considerable knowledge of variety of intervention and support strategies; knowledge and ability to apply principles of risk management; knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of societal, cultural and gender issues as they impact upon mental illness; knowledge of psychotropic medications; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable facilitation, collaboration and conflict resolution skills; ability to identify and articulate philosophical foundations for specific program models or service approaches; ability to delegate authority; ability to plan and organize effectively; ability to integrate community resources into service delivery planning; ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with community representatives and staff; supervisory ability.

              MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

              Seven (7) years of professional health care experience in a behavioral health setting.

              MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

              Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at a lead or supervisory level responsible for coordinating the work of a unit or team of professionals in a behavioral health setting.

              Note: For State employees, the lead level is interpreted at the level of Clinical Social Work Associate for the social work discipline and Head Nurse for the nursing discipline.  The supervisory level is interpreted at the level of Supervising Addiction Counselor for the substance abuse/addictions discipline. 

              MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

              1. 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.
              2. A Master's Degree in a health care field related to one of the disciplines in the Special Experience may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

              PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

              • Experience in in-patient or hospital setting.
              • Experience supervising professional staff members.
              • Experience working with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness populations.
              • Experience coordinating clinical services.
              • Experience with development and implementation of policies and practices.
              • Experience in working with forensic populations.

              SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

              1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a current license as a Clinical Social Worker or as a Registered Professional Nurse or as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in the State of Connecticut.
              2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess certification as a clinical supervisor by the Connecticut Certification Board.
              3. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
              4. Incumbents in this class maybe required to travel.

              WORKING CONDITIONS

              Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients, may have significant exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury and may be exposed to strongly 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.