STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Recovery Support Specialist Trainee (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #231026-5728FK-001

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Introduction


Do you possess certification as a Recovery Support Specialist?
Do you have a passion for inspiring others through sharing your story of change and personal growth?
If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team! 

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking a qualified individual for the position of Recovery Support Specialist Trainee! In this role you will use your shared life experiences and recovery management techniques to engage, motivate, educate and mentor clients in achieving success. See below for more information! 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS: 
  • FACILITY: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN)
  • ADDRESS: 1669 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, CT
  • LOCATION: Young Adult Services (YAS)
  • POSITION NUMBER: 89206
  • SCHEDULE: Full-time, 40 hours weekly with the following schedule:
    • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 PM
    • Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
    • Every fourth weekend rotation: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (pass days will be Monday & Friday)
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
  • The opportunity 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
  • NEW: 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., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees
    IMPORTANT SALARY INFORMATION:
    *After completion of six (6) months of successful and satisfactory performance as a Recovery Support Specialist Trainee, an incumbent will be moved to the Recovery Support Specialist classification, HN 14 Step 1 (On the first pay period following the completion of the six (6) month requirement).

    DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
    • Provide mentoring and peer support 
    • Serve as a role model to clients by establishing and fostering relationships that value trust, support, hope, safety, individuality, and wellness
    • Provide services that are multi-faceted and emphasize areas such as self-worth, choice, personal growth, connection, boundary setting, crisis management, education, communication, use of community resources, and meaningful activity and work
    • Deliver services that will assist in identifying and creating life goals and the development of recovery plans utilizing skills, strengths, supports, and resources to aid clients in achieving those goals
    MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND DIVISION:
    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 coordinates three local mental health authorities in Danbury, Waterbury and Torrington. WCMHN provides peer support programs, recovery services, supported employment, homeless services, residential, crisis response, jail diversion, outpatient, case management, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams and young adult services. Collectively, WCMHN programs serve roughly 7,000 people annually.

    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 Alyssa Hovanec via email at Alyssa.Hovanec@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 participating in person-centered recovering planning
    • Experience assisting clients or patients with assessing community resources
    • Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team environment
    • Experience using shared life experience to engage and motivate clients
    • Experience providing recovery-oriented services to young adults with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders

    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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