What are the responsibilities and job description for the Safety Education Instructor (40 Hour) (Office/On-site) position at State of Connecticut - Department of Mental Health...?
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The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Office of the Commissioner is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Safety Education Instructor within the Division of Safety Services. The incumbent will conduct safety education training courses, primarily CPR and Collaborative Safety Strategies (CSS), for all new and existing DMHAS employees, as required by DMHAS policy and all other regulatory, accrediting, licensing and law-making bodies. These training courses are held at DMHAS facilities located throughout the State.
The CSS training program provides direct care staff in all treatment settings with the education and skills necessary to create and maintain safe environments of care. This training teaches staff how to recognize and prevent patient/client behavior from escalating to physical violence, and how to effectively intervene and restore safety, should dangerous or violent behavior occur. The goal of the CSS training program is to: reduce the rate and severity of injury to staff and patients, reduce the use of restraint and seclusion hospital-wide, and to eliminate occasions that may lead to patient abuse and/or neglect.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
- Facility: Office of the Commissioner (OOC)
- Location: 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT
- Work Schedule: Full-time, forty (40) hours per week. The work schedule is typically Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm. The work schedule may be a non-standard work week (instructors occasionally work evenings and midnight shifts to accommodate training of off-shift employees).
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
- 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.
- Professional growth and development opportunities.
- A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:
- Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals;
- Provide support to an agency that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve;
- Assist our clients and employees so they can achieve success;
- Make a difference in the public sector; and
- Work together in a collaborative team environment.
MORE ABOUT US:
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.
START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.
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.
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, 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 contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- Salary Calculations: 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.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Pam Rochette at Pamela.Rochette@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for assisting in the development and implementation of safety education programs for staff providing care or treatment to individuals receiving behavioral services.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Conducts educational and safety programs including behavioral management strategies and techniques for agency clinical and support staff;
- Conducts orientation programs for new employees;
- Implements course objectives and curricula;
- Uses most appropriate educational methods to accomplish course objectives;
- Conducts educational sessions utilizing lectures, role playing, seminars, group discussions and audio visual presentations;
- Recommends changes in educational methods and materials to effect improvements;
- Reviews courses to determine effectiveness and appropriateness of contents;
- May conduct special sessions for staff involved in providing behavioral health services to individuals in private residential facilities, community training homes and community based treatment settings;
- May assist with assessment of departmental safety training needs;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Knowledge of
- principles and practices of safety as related to working in a health care environment;
- principles and practices specific to the care, treatment, and recovery of individuals who have mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders;
- methods and techniques of implementing and evaluating training programs;
- methods and techniques applicable to adult learning;
- Skills
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- psychomotor skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Five (5) years of experience in the care and treatment of individuals with mental health, substance use or co-occurring disorders.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
One (1) year of the General Experience must have been instructing or applying skills relevant to employee workplace safety. This may include, but is not limited to, training in the use of effective behavior management and crisis prevention strategies within a healthcare environment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
- College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
- For state employees, four (4) years of experience as a Mental Health Assistant 2 (Inpatient) may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with the care and treatment of individuals receiving mental health or substance use services in an inpatient setting.
- Experience instructing CPR and First Aid.
- Experience teaching safety education programming.
- Experience with public speaking.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents may be required to be certified as an American Red Cross Instructor CPR/AED and First Aid
- Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
