State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Mental Health Assistant 1 (40 Hour) (5724FK)

$27.58-$37.15 Hourly / $2,206.17-$2,971.50 BiWeekly /
$57,581.00-$77,556.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for assisting in the assessment, planning and implementation of paraprofessional nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions designed to support clients' short and/or long-term needs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of a mental health professional of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May lead/supervise Mental Health Trainees or other employees as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Participates in assigned nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions to meet client short and long-term needs; 
  • Advocates for services or resources that meet client needs and preferences; 
  • Assists client in developing effective strategies for managing internal and external stress; 
  • Routinely solicits personal goals and preferences; 
  • Identifies and facilitates use of appropriate support networks; 
  • Participates in education and training activities to further skill development; 
  • Participates in admission and discharge planning activities; 
  • Protects civil rights of client; 
  • Maintains a safe and healthy environment; 
  • May manage client behaviors through verbal communication as needed; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

COMMUNITY OR OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS: 

  • Functions as a member of a case management team or program; 
  • Participates in assessment, crisis intervention and monitoring of clients in community at large (i.e., emergency rooms, jails, homeless shelters, outpatient programs, etc.); 
  • Assists client in learning and practicing daily living skills, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills; 
  • Provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision.

INPATIENT WARD OR UNIT: 

  • Communicates and interacts with clients; 
  • Participates in development of nursing care and treatment plans; 
  • Encourages client to participate in therapeutic activities; 
  • Observes and records client behavior and prepares pertinent reports; 
  • Participates in on-going education and training programs; 
  • May participate in follow up of client in community-based services; 
  • May supervise self-administration of oral medication.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • acceptable standards of nursing care; 
    • psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles and procedures; 
    • community support systems and resources; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills; 
    • oral and written communication skills; 
    • counseling skills; 
  • Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of experience at the level of a Mental Health Trainee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • An Associate's degree in mental health technology may be substituted for the General Experience.
  • Two (2) years of college training in a behavioral science, social work, rehabilitation therapy or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience.
  • One (1) year of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist providing peer support to agency clients may be substituted for the General Experience.
  • Completion of a mental health trainee certificate program may be substituted for one-half (1/2) year of the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(25)-Patient and Inmate Care

BARGAINING UNIT

(10)-HEALTH NONPROF(NP-6)

EEO

(5)-Para-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

FK 16

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.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Mental Health Assistant 1 (40 Hour) in Salary Group FK 16 approved effective April 28, 2017. (Revised to modernize format and add Acknowledgement section) Final No. 23-164

EFFECTIVE DATE

07/10/2023
CLASS: 5724FK; EST: 1/21/1983; REV: 7/11/2023;