What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mental Health Assistant 1 (40 Hour) (Office/On-site) position at State of Connecticut - Department of Mental Health...?
Are you passionate about supporting individuals on their journey to recovery from behavioral health or substance use challenges?
Have you gained expertise in engaging individuals with compassion and empathy?
If so, we invite you to apply and join our dedicated team!
Join the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) as a Mental Health Assistant 1! 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)
- LOCATION: Transitional Residence Program
- ADDRESS: 1635 Central Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
- SCHEDULE: Full-time, Second Shift, Monday - Friday, 4:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m., every other weekend and rotating holidays
- POSITION NUMBER: 141048
WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
- Explore our comprehensive State Employee Benefits Overview to see what we offer
- Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.
- Enjoy endless opportunities for professional growth and development
- Embrace a healthy work/life balance tailored to all employees
- STARTING SALARY INFORMATION:
- New hires to the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 shall be paid an hourly rate of $26.31.
- Upon successful completion of the working test period, effective the payroll period following, the Employee shall be compensated at an hourly rate of $27.58.
- 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.
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
- 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
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:
Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (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.
Please note:
- A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
- All state employees must adhere to Connecticut’s Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.
START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.
Selection Plan
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
- Although applicants will receive correspondence via email and/or phone, 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.
- 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.
- Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
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 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
- Participates in assigned nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions to meet client short and long-term needs;
- Advocates for services or resources that meet client needs and preferences;
- Assists client in developing effective strategies for managing internal and external stress;
- Routinely solicits personal goals and preferences;
- Identifies and facilitates use of appropriate support networks;
- Participates in education and training activities to further skill development;
- Participates in admission and discharge planning activities;
- Protects civil rights of client;
- Maintains a safe and healthy environment;
- May manage client behaviors through verbal communication as needed;
- Performs related duties as required.
COMMUNITY OR OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS:
- Functions as a member of a case management team or program;
- Participates in assessment, crisis intervention and monitoring of clients in community at large (i.e., emergency rooms, jails, homeless shelters, outpatient programs, etc.);
- Assists client in learning and practicing daily living skills, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills;
- Provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision.
INPATIENT WARD OR UNIT:
- Communicates and interacts with clients;
- Participates in development of nursing care and treatment plans;
- Encourages client to participate in therapeutic activities;
- Observes and records client behavior and prepares pertinent reports;
- Participates in on-going education and training programs;
- May participate in follow up of client in community-based services;
- May supervise self-administration of oral medication.
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 congregate care setting
- Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and email for workplace tasks
- Experience using an Electronic Medical Record
- Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team/program
- Experience providing assistance with activities of daily living
- 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 and preparing pertinent reports
- Ability to travel
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.
Salary : $26 - $28
