STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Certified Addiction Counselor (40 Hour)

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #231127-2351FX-001

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Introduction



Are you motivated to make a positive impact with those you work with?
If so, we encourage you to apply now!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified and experienced Certified Addiction Counselor to join our wonderful team.  In this role, you will provide psychiatric care to the most at-risk individual's living in community-based settings. 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Work Schedule: Full-Time (40 Hours), Monday - Friday, First Shift
    • Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday (8:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.)
    • Thursday/Friday (10:30 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.)
  • Facility: River Valley Services (RVS)
  • Unit: Assertive Community Services (ACT)
  • Location: 351 Silver Street, Middletown
  • PCN:  133622

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; and

  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.
      DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
      • Conduct and/or oversee counseling services to clients with behavioral health and substance-related condition including alcohol and drug dependency as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
      • Provide outreach and engagement to foster therapeutic relationships;  
      • Utilize best practice approaches including motivational interviewing;
      • Provide consultation and support to the teams regarding expertise; and
      • Deliver a full array of clinical and case management services. 
        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.

        FACILITY/UNIT DESCRIPTION:

        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 River Valley Services 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. 

        The ACT team treats individuals who may be experiencing homelessness, incarceration, victimization and psychiatric hospitalization due to serious and complex mental health and substance related conditions further complicated by early and prolonged exposure to trauma. 

        Start with us.  Stay with us.  Grow with us.



        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; 
          • counseling principles and techniques; 
          • community resources; 
          • confidentiality provisions; 
          • 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

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

        PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

        • Experience working with adults in community-based settings with severe and persistent mental health and substance abuse disorders.
        • Experience providing outreach and engagement strategies, motivational interviewing techniques and support to adults in community-based settings.
        • Experience providing individual and group therapies.
        • Experience working with a multi-disciplinary team to provide a wide range of services including assistance with housing, entitlements, life skill development and other case management needs to support recovery goals.

        SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

        • Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.
        • 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.
        • Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language.
        • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid driver's license.
        • 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.

        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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