STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Mental Health Assistant 1 (35 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #240503-5724HN-002

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Introduction



Are you looking to help your state in a time of need?
Does a career in State service as a Mental Health Assistant 1 excite you?!
If so, come make an impact by serving your state!
Read below and apply today! 

The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently accepting applications for two (2) Mental Health Assistant 1 positions. We are seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals to join our direct-care team to improve the well-being for our clients/patients. 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS: 
  • DIVISION: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)
  • FACILITY: Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center (GBCMHC)
  • LOCATION: 1635 Central Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
  • SCHEDULE: Both full time, 35 hours per week
  • SHIFT: Second 
  • PCNs: 100465 and 138176
See below for position specific information:
PCN  Unit Schedule 
138176 PICU 2, 7th Floor Second Shift | M-F 4pm- 12:30p, EOW and rotating holidays, 35hr (72,72,80)
100465  CTU, 5th Floor Second Shift | M-F 4pm- 12:30p, EOW and rotating holidays, 35hr (72,72,80)
See below for additional information regarding the units:

Inpatient Service: The Hospital Services Division offers an array of services to meet the needs of individuals, 18 years of age and older with prolonged psychiatric and co-occurring illnesses, who require hospitalization due to acute exacerbation of their symptoms and for those requiring continued rehabilitation before returning to the community.  Patients are served in the following locations: The admissions unit (PICU I), the extended care unit (PICU II), and the Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU).

  • Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU): The PICU 1 provides 21 beds for residents of Connecticut. Admissions to the psychiatric units are coordinated through a statewide Utilization Management process coordinated by the Office of the Commissioner. Both locked units are responsible for providing treatment for severely and acutely ill psychiatric patients who require a safe, supportive, highly structured hospital level of care. The treatment goals are developed in which the individual can be: stabilized, evaluated, rehabilitated, helped to accept the need for ongoing treatment, and assisted in regaining a level of functioning that will allow the person to be treated in a less restrictive environment or to return to community-based living.  PICU 1 treatment staff work closely with community providers to ensure that a smooth transition to the community exists. PICU 1 provides assessment and stabilization, with the emphasis on community re-entry.
  • Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU) 20 beds: The Co-Occurring Treatment Unit is a 20 bed, locked inpatient psychiatric unit that provides treatment to individuals with co-occurring illness.  The criteria for admission are major mental illness and substance use within six months of admission. The mission of CTU is to provide assessment and psychiatric stabilization as well as education around the clients co-occurring illness. The program model focuses on the inpatient Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT) evidence-based practice, focusing concurrently on both psychiatric and substance abuse diagnoses.  The treatment goals  are developed in which the individual can be: stabilized, evaluated, rehabilitated, helped to accept the need for ongoing treatment, and assisted in regaining a level of functioning that will allow the person to be treated in a less restrictive environment or to return to community-based living.
    WHAT WE CAN OFFER 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.
    • 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.
    • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
    • Professional growth and development opportunities.
    • A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
    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.

    SWCMHS is responsible for the oversight and management of contracts with private not-for-profit agencies and residential providers providing mental health services in the southwest region of the state.  With locations in Bridgeport and Stamford, SWCMHS provides inpatient, outpatient and assertive community treatment (ACT) services and community support services for adults with severe behavioral health disabilities; mental health services for people who are deaf or hearing impaired and a mobile crisis intervention team. SWCMHS also provides outreach to people who are homeless and mentally ill. Special agency programs include Shelter Plus Care, a housing program for people who are homeless and who have a history of substance abuse or mental illness or who have AIDS. 

    STARTING SALARY INFORMATION:
    • New hires to the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 shall be paid an hourly rate of $25.67.  
    • Upon successful completion of the working test period, effective the payroll period following, the Employee shall be compensated at an hourly rate of $26.91. 
    • Employees who have previously completed a working test period in an 1199-covered direct-care position shall not be subject to this reduced training rate upon transfer or promotion.
    PLEASE NOTE:  
    • Current DMHAS permanent employees in the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 should not apply.  
    • Permanent DMHAS employees in the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 transfers will be handled through the DMHAS Lateral Transfer Agreement.  
    • Positions through this posting are permanent positions with temporary assignments.
    • Permanent assignments will be completed at a later date after the agency transfer list has been cleared.

    Selection Plan

    FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

    Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

    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.

    Please Note:
    For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

    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 Pamela Rochette via email at Pamela.Rochette@ct.gov.

    PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

    In a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for assisting in the assessment, planning and implementation of paraprofessional nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions designed to support clients' short and/or long-term needs.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • Provide treatment for severely and acutely ill psychiatric patients who require a safe, supportive, highly structured hospital level of care;
    • Work with a treatment team that develops goals to assist patients to stabilize, rehabilitate, and establish and focus on their recovery goals;
    • Assist patients in regaining a level of functioning that will allow them to transition to a less restrictive environment and to return to community-based living;
    • Provide continuity and coordination of patient care;
    • Collaborate with unit staff and be responsive to patient care needs;
    • Ensure a safe and therapeutic milieu within a psychiatric treatment program;  
    • Establish therapeutic relationships;
    • Respond to and deescalate patients in crisis;
    • Support and assist patients with transferring from bed to chair, commode, and ambulation as needed to maintain safety and prevent falls;
    • Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of providers, and other patient natural supports to ensure patients receive the highest quality of mental health care.
    • Perform related duties as required, for more information click here.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Knowledge of
      • acceptable standards of nursing care; 
      • psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles and procedures; 
      • community support systems and resources; 
    • Considerable
      • interpersonal skills; 
      • oral and written communication skills; 
      • counseling skills; 
    • Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    One (1) year of experience at the level of a Mental Health Trainee.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

    • An Associate's degree in mental health technology may be substituted for the General Experience.
    • Two (2) years of college training in a behavioral science, social work, rehabilitation therapy or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience.
    • One (1) year of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist providing peer support to agency clients may be substituted for the General Experience.
    • Completion of a mental health trainee certificate program may be substituted for one-half (1/2) year of the General Experience.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience working in a clinical setting and providing verbal de-escalation techniques to clients/patients.
    • Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team/program.
    • Experience providing leadership/direction to colleagues on a team.  
    • Experience providing assistance with activities of daily living in an inpatient/outpatient setting.
    • Experience assisting clients/patients in short- and long-term needs through the participation of assigned nursing, clinical and rehabilitative interventions.
    • Experience participating in admission and discharge planning.
    • Experience observing and recording client/patient behavior in a inpatient setting and preparing pertinent reports.

    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 communicable and/or infectious 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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