STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Mental Health Assistant 2 (20 Hour) (Part-Time)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #231030-5723HN-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 to join our hospital’s team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified and experienced Mental Health Assistant 2 to join our team at River Valley Services (RVS) in Middletown.

In this role you will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide comprehensive client-centered services in a recovery-oriented trauma-sensitive environment.  Additionally, you will provide support and structure to clients in the Respite unit.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Work Schedule: Part-Time (20 Hours), Second Shift (3:45 P.M. - 12:15 A.M.)
    • Week 1: Friday/Saturday/Sunday
    • Week 2: Monday/Thursday
  • Unit: The Respite Unit
  • Address: 351 Silver Street, Middletown, CT
  • PCN: 126038

    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
    • 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

    *Benefit offerings will vary with part-time positions.

      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:
        • Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals; 
        • Provide support that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve; 
        • Assist our clients so they can achieve success; 
        • Make a difference in the public sector; and 
        • Work together in a collaborative team environment. 
        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.

        MORE ABOUT THE FACILITY:
        RVS a community mental health center serving Middlesex County and the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme, is operated by DMHAS. RVS’s goal is to provide the highest quality crisis intervention, case management, and residential and clinical services to adult citizens, 18 years of age and older, who suffer from serious mental disorders and who lack the financial means to secure such services in the private sector. 

        Services are directed at improving clients’ quality of life and fostering dignity, ability, and recovery. We are dedicated to promoting a complete and responsive service system for our clients and others in need. All persons receiving services from RVS have the right to culturally appropriate mental health and addiction services consistent with their communication needs and personal preferences. Translation and interpreter services are available at RVS. 

        UNIT DESCRIPTION:
        The Respite Unit is an 8-bed co-ed, short-term, crisis stabilization/residential program.  The staff provide structured, recovery-oriented trauma-sensitive care to individuals who do not require inpatient psychiatric treatment but require temporary additional support for successful community living.

        Watch the video below to learn more about becoming a State of Connecticut employee!

        Selection Plan

        FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
        Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

        Please Note:
        In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.

        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 a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, community behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for leading Mental Health Assistants in the assessment, planning and implementation of paraprofessional nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions designed to support client short and/or long-term needs. In outpatient or community programs this class is accountable for independently performing the full range of paraprofessional functions in case management and crisis intervention services.

        EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

        • Participates in positive behavioral plans;
        • Protects client's rights, maintains a safe and healthy environment;
        • Monitors client activities and changes in mental status, behaviors, coping skills and overall comfort level through observation, regular contact and documentation;
        • Provides assistance with areas of daily living; 
        • Participates in nursing assigned duties, collaborates regularly with clinical team;
        • Provides one to one trauma-sensitive interventions and support;
        • Provides support and closely monitors client to assist in management of risk issues and development of coping skills; 
        • Identifies and reinforces client skills, strengths, resources and preferences;
        • Facilitates and participates in activities on the unit to support recovery including socialization, symptom management, stress reduction and psycho-social education; 
        • Participates as case manager in the community; 
        • Participates in community outreach programs and family contact in home settings; 
        • Identifies and accesses a wide range of community resources; 
        • Participates as a liaison to community agencies; 
        • Makes arrangements for outpatient appointments and works collaboratively with clinical teams, families and outside providers;
        • Provides transportation to appointments and mentors activities both on and off the unit; 
        • Participates in the development of Respite Treatment and discharge plans; and   
        • May provide individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under the appropriate supervision.  
        *Additional information can be found here.

        KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

        • Considerable knowledge of
          • psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles, practices and procedures; 
          • acceptable standards of nursing care; 
        • Knowledge of
          • dynamics of human behavior; 
          • hygiene and sanitation; 
          • safety and fire procedures and security measures; 
          • community resources and programs; 
        • Considerable
          • interpersonal skills; 
          • oral and written communication skills; 
          • counseling skills; 
        • Observation skills; 
        • Ability to
          • lead staff; 
          • supervise client activity; 
          • interpret and implement agency and/or facility policies and procedures; 
          • apply principles of therapeutic counseling under supervision; 
          • develop curricula and instruct groups; 
          • organize; 
          • understand, interpret and carry out oral and written instructions.

        MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

        Three (3) years of experience at the level of a Mental Health Assistant 1.

        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 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.

        PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

        • Experience providing behavioral health services within Outpatient and Community Based settings. 
        • Experience working with individuals with mental illness, addictions and trauma.

        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 infectious and/or communicable diseases, strongly disagreeable conditions and risk of injury.

        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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