STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Certified Addiction Counselor (40 Hour)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #230710-2351FX-001

Go Back View Benefits

Introduction


Are you passionate about helping others brighten their future?
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 Certified Addiction Counselor to join our team. This position will work within our Assertive Community Treatment Program at Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) in Norwich. The Certified Addiction Counselor will provide counseling and case management services to clients suffering from substance abuse and mental health concerns.  

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

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;
  • Comprehensive benefits plan that includes industry leading health benefits with medical and dental coverage;
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
  • Retirement healthcare offerings;
  • Accrued vacation, personal and sick leave;
  • 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
  • Professional growth and development opportunities; and
  • Outstanding work-life balance!

    Please Note: 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:
    • Assists staff with treatment plans for clients with substance abuse issues;
    • Conducts staff training and provides assistance with substance abuse issues;
    • Serves as a representative on the Agency's Substance Abuse Steering Committee; 
    • Acts as a liaison with other teams and community-based agencies;
    • Provides individual counselling services for alcohol and drug dependent clients;
    • Engages clients in discussions about the role of Medication Assisted Treatment; and 
    • Works with clients in completing Decisional Balances and Relapse Prevention Plans.  
                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:

                SMHA is a community mental health agency serving adults in Bozrah, Colchester, East Lyme, Franklin, Griswold, Groton, Ledyard, Lisbon, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Salem, Sprague, Stonington, Voluntown, and Waterford providing high quality behavioral health services to those with mental health and substance use disorders. Services offered include case management, outpatient behavioral health, crisis intervention, respite care, and forensic services. SMHA is responsible for administering all DMHAS contract funded behavioral health services in Southeastern Connecticut. 

                The Brief Care Program is an open, 15- bed, subacute residential program. It is a voluntary program for clients who are in need of stabilization but who don’t meet the criteria for a psychiatric hospitalization. A Brief Care admission may also be used as a step-down transition following an inpatient stay. The program offers a full treatment team including an APRN, nurses, social workers, certified addiction counselor, and mental health workers.  Staff is on site 24 hours a day and hold weekly treatment team meetings to discuss progress, barriers, and discharge planning. Community support staff and family are encouraged to participate in the weekly meetings for continuity.   Clients are often linked to programs during their stay to provide continued support upon discharge. 

                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.
                  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 Veterans' Affairs this class is accountable for providing specialized counseling services to clients in a behavioral health treatment program.

                  EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

                  Provides counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients; screens clients to determine eligibility for programs; assesses strengths, weaknesses and treatment needs; orients clients to treatment program; participates in treatment planning and individual and/or group counseling; responsible for case management activities; provides crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress; makes referrals to outside or other programs for medical and/or psychological intervention; maintains confidential reports and records of client data; represents program at community events and seminars; educates clients on substance abuse issues and availability of resources; consults with service providers to assure comprehensive integrated care; may escort clients; may provide coverage duties; may collect urine for drug screening; performs related duties as required.

                  KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

                  Knowledge of physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse; knowledge of counseling principles and techniques; knowledge of community resources; knowledge of confidentiality provisions; some knowledge of infectious diseases; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of an individual.

                  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

                  Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three (3) years of experience involving risk reduction education and counseling to assist alcohol and drug dependent individuals.

                  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

                  1. Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor may be substituted for the General Experience.
                  2. For state employees three (3) years as a Certified Addiction Counselor Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

                  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

                  • Experience providing substance abuse assessments, interventions, and treatment for individuals with substance use disorders.
                  • Experience facilitating substance abuse groups and individual substance abuse counseling. 
                  • Experience working with clients in accessing community resources/entitlements and in securing and maintaining housing.
                  • Experience working with clients who are pre-contemplative and contemplative in their recovery.
                  • Experience working in a collaborative team environment.

                  SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

                  1. Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.
                  2. Individuals recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs are required to have two (2) years of substance free time to be considered for a position in a substance abuse program.
                  3. Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language.
                  4. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid driver's license.
                  5. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

                  PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

                  A medical and/or psychiatric examination may be required prior to appointment.

                  WORKING CONDITIONS

                  Incumbents in this class may be required to perform moderate amounts of lifting or restraining of patients and exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive patients.

                  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.





                  E-mailPhone: (860) 713-52058am - 4:30pm M-FPowered by JobAps