STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Recovery Support Specialist Trainee (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #230627-5728FK-001

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Introduction

Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our hospital’s team! 

THE POSITION
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking an experienced and qualified Recovery Support Specialist Trainee to join their team. 

HIGHLIGHTS
  • FACILITY: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN)
  • ADDRESS: 95 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, CT
  • UNIT: Behavioral Health Home 
  • SCHEDULE: Full-time, 40 hours per week, first shift, 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
  • POSITION NUMBER: 136252
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
  • 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;
  • We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year. 
  • We encourage a strong work/life balance for all state employees. 
  • We offer opportunities for professional and personal growth. 
  • We have limitless areas for you to perform relevant and significant work.
  • 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
    • Provide prompt behavioral health support and intervention, to link clients with acute behavioral health care to community services, and to provide support via the Regional Hotline;
    • Utilize client-centered approaches to assist clients in identifying recovery priorities, coaches and provides skill building; and
    • Provide outreach, engagement, and interventions as identified through the recovery planning process.
    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. 

    WCMHN was formed in 1996 in order to coordinate clinical, fiscal and administrative oversight of Region 5 contracted and state-operated mental health services. Their mission is to provide a comprehensive and effective recovery-oriented system of mental health and addiction services that promotes self-sufficiency, dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect. 

    Within this service system, there are three state-operated Local Mental Health Authorities, which are located in Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington. In partnership with WCMHN, they provide and coordinate local clinical services. Over 200 staff including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation and mental health workers provide services for persons with a long-term mental illness.  Approximately 7,000 clients receive services in a variety of programs, including peer support programs, recovery services, supported employment, homeless services, residential, crisis services, jail diversion, outpatient, case management, Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTT) and young adult services.  

    Behavioral Health Home is a healthcare service delivery model focused on the integration of primary care, mental health services, and social services and supports for adults and children diagnosed with mental illness. The Behavioral Health Home model of care uses a multidisciplinary team to deliver person-centered services designed to support a person in coordinating care and services while reaching his or her health and wellness goals.  We provide services such as comprehensive care management; care coordination; health promotion; comprehensive transitional care; individual and family support; and referral to community and support services.

    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. 
    • 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.
    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 Jensine Tran at jensine.tran@ct.gov. 

    PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

    In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for using shared life experiences and recovery management techniques to engage, motivate, educate, and mentor clients in achieving individualized goals for successful community living.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • Guides clients through the process of defining personal goals for clients' recovery plans using existing evidence based workbooks or person centered planning tools; 
    • Supports and guides clients in following tasks outlined in recovery plan (i.e. pursuing goals related to employment, education, community involvement and the use of natural supports); 
    • Guides clients in identifying and exercising their rights; 
    • Participates in rehabilitative and recovery oriented interventions to meet clients’ needs and goals; 
    • Provides information and support to clients and encourages their development of community networks and activities relating to community integration; 
    • Provides instruction and skill training in recovery management to clients and families; 
    • Acts as a peer health navigator to engage clients who have or are at risk for co-morbid medical conditions in wellness activities; 
    • Supports clients to secure information about resources relevant to their wellness; 
    • Supports clients in obtaining services that meet clients recovery needs; 
    • Supports clients in dealing with internal and external stress; 
    • Attends medical/clinical appointments with clients in a peer capacity; 
    • Accompanies clients as peers on volunteer opportunities and activities; 
    • Organizes and conducts workshops on topics related to recovery and wellness including New Employee Orientation at the local level; 
    • Observes and reports clients’ behavior; 
    • Prepares and submits incident or other related forms; 
    • Updates clients’ notes in the medical record as required; 
    • Enters computerized data as required; 
    • May coach adaptive client behaviors through verbal communication; 
    • May provide outreach and transportation; 
    • Performs related duties as required.

    INPATIENT SETTINGS: 

    In addition to the duties listed above, the duties move from providing one-on-one peer support to teaching coping and community adjustment skills and linking the client with important community resources, and include the following:

    • Accompanies clients off the unit and onto the hospital campus or community to practice entering unexpected situations and managing stress and disorientation.
    • Accompanies clients on day passes to the community to acclimate the client to their new community.
    • May provide coverage at Peer Desk Center to engage and offer peer support to the general hospital population.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Knowledge of
      • community support systems and resources; 
      • person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning and other recovery management techniques; 
      • the principles and procedures of psychiatric rehabilitation; 
    • Considerable interpersonal skills; 
    • Oral and written communication skills; 
    • Ability to
      • observe and redirect client behavior; 
      • utilize computer software.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    Completion of the Recovery Support Specialist Certification.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience with integrated care 
    • Experience with Behavioral Health Home Services
    • Experience utilizing the Intentional Peer Support Model
    • Experience participating in person-centered recovery planning
    • Experience as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team
    • Experience with comprehensive transitional care
    • Experience providing recovery-oriented services for adults with mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorders
    • Experience with trauma-informed care
    • Experience with referrals to community support services
    • Experience utilizing recovery-based language

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

    • Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain Recovery Support Specialist Certification.
    • Incumbents must adhere to the DMHAS Peer Support Ethical Guidelines.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

    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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