STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Human Services Advocate

Office/On-site

Recruitment #240424-1419SH-001

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Introduction



Do you have a passion for advocacy?
Looking for an exciting opportunity to make a real impact?
Join us and be part of a revolutionary team shaping the future!

Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Human Services Advocate (PCN 136226) to join our team. This position will be supporting Patient Advocacy within our forensic hospital. Find out more information on this great opportunity below!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Work Schedule: Sunday - Thursday
  • Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • Work Shift: First shift, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Location: 70 O'Brien Drive, Middletown, CT
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive comprehensive benefits plan that includes:
  • 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
  • Generous paid time off, include 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Retirement healthcare offerings
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • 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.
  • A healthy work/life balance!
You'd be able 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.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
  • Investigating and resolving patient complaints and grievances.
  • Interviewing patients regarding allegations of abuse.
  • Conducting groups regarding patient skills enhancements such as patient rights and patient empowerment.
  • Meeting individually with patients to assist in their recovery.
  • Ensuring patients’ rights are protected.
  • Maintaining confidential patient files documenting advocacy services provided.
  • Preparing reports summarizing patient interviews.
  • Coordinating services with agencies external to DMHAS.
  • Attending weekly and monthly meetings regarding Patient Advocacy such as Patient Steering Committee.
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.

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.

Start with Us! Stay with Us! Grow with Us!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

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. Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
  • 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.
  • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
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 Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov, 860-924-7053.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Aging and Disability Services, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Office of the Child Advocate, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in providing advocacy services to ensure the preservation of individual rights.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Assists in administration of an individual rights program with respect to civil, legal and human rights, right to treatment, confidentiality, and other unique rights as specified by state and federal legislation;
  • Provides advocacy services, determines available courses of action, and develops advocacy strategies with individuals, families and/or groups;
  • Investigates and evaluates complaints and allegations of abuse and/or misrepresentation of authorized individual services;
  • Implements advocacy strategies through informal and/or formal actions such as meeting with legal and/or agency representatives to ensure provision of proper services;
  • Consults with professionals of various disciplines such as attorneys, physicians, educators, and others to identify options and barriers to individual rights;
  • Develops and interprets policies regarding individual rights;
  • Assists in researching and interpreting laws pertaining to individual rights;
  • Maintains confidential individual files documenting advocacy services provided and prepares reports summarizing case activities;
  • Prepares correspondence and reports;
  • Assists in orientation of new employees with regard to agency individual rights program;
  • May investigate accident and injury reports to determine cause;
  • May conduct studies to assess quality of care;
  • May conduct in-service training sessions on individual rights;
  • May provide technical assistance and training to field staff;
  • May participate on task forces and coalitions formed to effect system changes;
  • May meet with legislators, agency officials, and members of various interest groups on individual rights;
  • May participate in agency task groups to develop policies, positions and reports;
  • May make public presentations;
  • Performs related duties as required.
AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES:
  • Provides quality assurance through site visits and monitoring of vendor reporting to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of individual programs.
OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE:
  • Evaluates delivery of services to children by state agencies;
  • Reviews procedures of state agencies providing services to children;
  • Visits residential facilities to review procedures, assure safety and assess facilities;
  • May recommend changes in state policies concerning children including changes in system of providing juvenile justice, child care, foster care, and treatment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • problems and needs of individuals in one of the following areas: blindness or visual impairments; children; disabilities; intellectual disabilities; psychiatric disabilities;
    • advocacy process;
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations;
    • relevant agency policies and procedures;
    • community resources and service delivery systems;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
    • interviewing skills;
    • negotiating skills;
  • Ability to
    • identify, investigate, and analyze problems and recommend effective solutions;
    • research and organize information;
    • understand and explain complex written materials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of professional experience in a public or private agency or organization providing services to individuals with disabilities or to children.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the provision of advocacy or direct services to individuals with disabilities or to children.

NOTE: Advocacy services are defined as speaking and working on behalf of a position, cause, or individual to further interests and ensure the preservation of rights.

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.
  • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience utilizing Microsoft Word to send professional written correspondence, and Microsoft Excel to enter data.
  • Experience working in a behavioral health congregate care setting with adults.
  • Experience working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
  • Experience managing complaints or grievances.
  • Experience investigating and resolving complaints within a behavioral health setting with adults.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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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