State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Mental Health Associate (40 Hour) (7376FK)

$33.49-$44.44 Hourly / $2,678.47-$3,554.60 BiWeekly /
$69,908.00-$92,775.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, community behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for the administration of a designated number of wards or units or a major clinical training program for mental health assistants. In outpatient divisions and community programs or clinics this class is accountable for the direct supervision of mental health assistants and/or independently performing a full range of advanced para-professional functions in case management and crisis intervention services or the administration of a complex program component.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

This class is used in any of the following situations:
  • Administration of a designated number of wards or units.
  • The supervision of mental health assistants assigned to community-based programs.
  • Acting as a full-time training coordinator for mental health assistants of lower grade in the techniques and procedures of client care and in a variety of techniques, procedures and processes related to the mission and goals of the facility or hospital.
  • Administration of a complex program such as the housing program initiative.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general direction from a mental health professional of a higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

In wards or units assists in the supervision of mental health assistants of lower grade and other employees as assigned.

In a community mental health center, comprehensive training program or community/outpatient clinic or program may supervise staff as assigned or work independently to organize, implement and direct the programs.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

In wards or units: 
  • Assumes responsibility for the supervision, training, and evaluation of assigned staff; 
  • Plans and develops personnel schedules and assignments to provide adequate and safe coverage; 
  • Applies accepted standards of nursing care and administration; 
  • Assists in the evaluation of the quality of nursing care being administered; 
  • Investigates and reports any unusual incidents; 
  • Assures confidentiality of oral and written reports; 
  • Coordinates support services such as dietary, maintenance, etc.; 
  • Supports and participates in the protection of human and civil rights of clients; 
  • Assures that federal and state regulations and directives are followed; 
  • Participates in unit, program, and department meetings; 
  • Collaborates with members of other disciplines in the planning, development and implementation of hospital programs and services; 
  • Cooperates and collaborates with clinical personnel in developing and maintaining a therapeutic milieu; 
  • May supervise the self-administration of oral medications; 
  • May assist in approved research projects; 
  • Performs direct client care functions and other related duties as required.
In community/outpatient mental health programs: 
  • Coordinates and facilitates the activities of clients; 
  • Functions as team member of a case management or crisis team or program; 
  • Participates in the assessment, crisis intervention and monitoring of clients in the community at large (i.e., ERs, jails, homeless shelters, outpatient programs, etc.); 
  • Assists clients in acquiring daily living skills, budgeting, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills; 
  • Provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision; 
  • Applies accepted standards of nursing care to clients; 
  • Supervises staff of lesser grades or other disciplines; 
  • Provides clinical therapeutic counseling and/or preventive education services to community groups and individuals, including the development and administration of curriculum on various issues relevant to the community; 
  • Independently participates in community outreach programs that include crisis interventions, case management and/or family support in home settings; 
  • Participates as a liaison to community agencies; 
  • Makes arrangements for outpatient appointments; 
  • Provides information on department philosophy and objectives; 
  • May perform problem-solving techniques with clients in their natural environment; 
  • May assist in the motivation of long-term clients in small groups hospital programs or in community; 
  • May coordinate crisis-intervention plans to circumvent hospitalization; 
  • May support and supervise clients in transitional living facilities; 
  • May assess families in need of respite care programs; 
  • Performs direct client care functions and other related duties as required.
In a comprehensive, structured training program: 
  • Trains mental health assistants in the principles, practices, and procedures of client care, nursing care, supervision and administration, hygiene, sanitation, safety, security, and fire prevention, the management of assaultive behavior, report writing, and writing of behavioral objectives; 
  • Provides information on the dynamics of human behavior; 
  • Trains employees in the techniques of group work; 
  • Trains employees in the methods of supporting clients in avoiding hospitalization; 
  • Performs direct client care functions and other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • acceptable standards of nursing care; 
    • psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles, practices, and procedures; 
    • dynamics of individual and group behavior; 
  • Knowledge of
    • supervisory and administrative methods and techniques; 
    • hygiene and sanitation; 
    • security, safety, and fire procedures, 
    • community resources and programs; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Observation skills;
  • Considerable ability to apply the principles of therapeutic counseling; 
  • Ability to
    • lead staff; 
    • supervise client activity; 
    • direct others in the formulation of plans for client care; 
    • interpret and implement agency/facility policies and procedures; 
    • organize; 
    • coordinate and collaborate effectively with individuals, groups and families; 
    • train and teach; 
    • effectively handle emergency situations independently. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience at the level of a Mental Health Assistant 2, LPN or its equivalent in a psychiatric setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training in mental health technology, a behavioral science, social work, rehabilitation therapy, or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.
  • 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents may be required to lift and restrain clients; may have significant exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury; may be exposed to strongly disagreeable conditions.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(25)-Patient and Inmate Care

BARGAINING UNIT

(10)-HEALTH NONPROF(NP-6)

EEO

(5)-Para-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

FK 20

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 Associate (40 Hour) in Salary Group FK 20 approved effective April 28, 2017. (Revised to modernize format and add Acknowledgement section) Final No. 23-164

EFFECTIVE DATE

07/10/2023
CLASS: 7376FK; EST: 1/21/1983; REV: 7/12/2023;