STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Mental Health Assistant 1 (40 Hour)

Multiple Openings Anticipated | Office/On-site

Recruitment #240625-5724FK-001

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Introduction



Looking for an exciting opportunity in mental health care?
Join us and be part of a revolutionary team shaping the future!

The Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center, a facility within the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System, under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking qualified individuals to join our teams as Mental Health Assistant 1s. These positions will by providing support and treatment services within our Transitional Residence Program. Find out more information on these great opportunities below!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Location: 1635 Central Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
  • Work Type: Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • Work Shift: This recruitment is for openings on first, second, and third shifts.
  • Work Schedule: The available schedule is either Monday through Friday with every other weekend and rotating holidays, or Thursday through Monday.
  • Shift Information:
      • First Shift: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
      • Second Shift: 4:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
      • Third Shift: 12:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Permanent DMHAS employees in the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 should not apply; transfers within DMHAS will be handled through the agency lateral transfer process.

Candidates hired from this posting may be initially provided with a temporary assignment; the permanent assignment will be determined within the first six months of employment.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
  • Provide direct patient care that includes education, counseling, and documentation of the treatment and progress made by the patient
  • Work among professionals in developing patient treatment goals to help individuals stabilize, rehabilitate, and return to community-based living. 
  • Utilize your expertise in assisting clients in develop self-regulation skills and provide de-escalation interventions when needed. 
  • Stay up to date with the ever-trending changes in mental healthcare by participating in ongoing education and training activities. 
  • Apply your skills and experience to instill in patients a sense of hope, dignity, respect, and self-determination as they work to establish their recovery goals.
MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (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.

The vision of the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) is to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent. With three locations throughout Fairfield County, SWCMHS, promotes and administers comprehensive recovery oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinical services, as well as a wide range of additional supportive treatment services.

The Transitional Residence Program (TRP) provides short-term housing for homeless individuals, incorporating rehabilitative programming for up to 20 consumers. TRP is an open residential program that provides supported living services, including medication monitoring, 24 hours a day until the consumer is ready for community re-entry.  TRP also provides skill building groups, outings in the community, visiting hours for family and friends, three meals a day, and laundry facilities. TRP staff work collaboratively with all services within the Community Services Division in an effort to support the consumer to get back into housing in their community.

Start with Us! Stay with Us! Grow with Us!

Selection Plan

Permanent DMHAS employees in the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 should not apply; transfers within DMHAS will be handled through the agency lateral transfer process.

Candidates hired from this posting may be initially provided with a temporary assignment; the permanent assignment will be determined within the first six months of employment.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
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.
  • 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.
  • 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. Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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 Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov, 860-924-7053.

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

  • Provides culturally appropriate, recovery-oriented support services in a 24-hour continuous operated Transitional Living Program to Adult consumers who require intense supervision.
  • Maintains and monitors compliance with TLP environment of care, and Joint Commission/CMS/DPH health and safety standards.
  • Has knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles and procedures and knowledge of the growth and developmental stages of adults, ages 18 and over.
  • Promotes cultural and gender diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, sensitivity to client needs, and assures the maintenance of client rights.
  • Understands Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment and Motivational Interviewing practices.
  • Understands Trauma Sensitive Principles/Practices as well as principles of Person-Centered Planning.
  • Directly implements client recovery plans and ensures risk plans are implemented as indicated.
  • Provides direct care to persons with psychiatric, substance use and medically complex diagnosis by providing support, supervision, skill building and direction to client and teaches skills needed to live independently and obtain/maintain housing in the community.
  • Provides recovery-oriented activity groups to promote skill building in the areas of preparing client for transition and discharge to independent community settings.
  • Works collaboratively with inpatient and outpatient interdisciplinary treatment teams to provide high quality client care. Organizes and coordinates client appointments.
  • Respond to and deescalate patients in crisis. Provides direct transportation and escort of clients to appointments and other community activities/functions and maintains client’s rights to confidentiality.
  • Maintains clinical records and follow agency policy and procedures.
  • Work in collaboration with community providers and other resources to ensure client needs are met.
  • Possesses interpersonal skills, listening skills, attending skills, observation skills, ability to follow oral and written instructions, and the ability to work and to empathize with individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
  • Ability to adhere to DMHAS/SWCMHS policies and procedures.
  • Ability to comply with agency attendance and work rule requirements.
  • Ability to perform CPR and first aid and has current knowledge of safe work practices.
  • Monitors and documents consumer behavior and progress in DMHAS/SWCMHS Electronic Health Record.
  • May monitor self-administration of consumer medications and maintains documentation on such.
  • Performs related duties as required. Find out additional information 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 in an outpatient and/or inpatient congregate care setting.
  • Experience utilizing Microsoft Office software, including, but not limited to: Word to write reports and create documents, Excel to enter and summarize data, and Outlook to utilize email and calendars.
  • Experience using an Electronic Medical Record.
  • Experience assisting clients/patients in short- and long-term needs through the participation of assigned nursing, clinical and rehabilitative interventions.
  • Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team/program.

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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