Professional Counselor (40 Hour)

Introduction

Are you a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) looking to make a difference in the public sector? Join our team today to make a significant impact in mental healthcare and lead with excellence! THE POSITION: The�State of Connecticut,�Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services�(DMHAS)�is now hiring for a�Professional Counselor�to join our team! This position will provide individual and group therapy to individuals diagnosed with chronic mental health and/or substance use disorders. POSITION HIGHLIGHTS: SCHEDULE:�Full-Time (40 Hours), First Shift (8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.), Monday - Friday FACILITY:�Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN) UNIT:�Outpatient Unit ADDRESS:�78 Triangle Street, Danbury, CT� POSITION NUMBER: 89785 WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU: Visit our�new�State Employee Benefits Overview�page! Professional growth and development opportunities A healthy�work/life balance! 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! DISCOVER THE OPPPORTUNITY TO: Develop and provide case management, conduct needs assessments, and offer supportive counseling to address clients' strengths, weaknesses, and needs; Conduct�psychosocial assessments through clinical interviews with assigned clients and their families, considering developmental, social, cultural, substance abuse, psychological, environmental, and medical issues; Create�treatment plans with measurable goals and objectives, as well as monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these plans; Document treatment in clinical records and utilize electronic health records, computer technology, and data;� Provide�clinical treatment services, which include individual, group, and family therapy, as well as crisis intervention and risk assessment; Advocate and develop networks for social and clinical services�to assist clients in meeting their identified needs; Complete�reports in accordance with agency and accrediting body requirements; and Consult�with other behavioral health providers to enhance service delivery to clients! 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.� WCMHN was formed in 1996 in order to coordinate clinical, fiscal and administrative oversight of Region 5 contracted and state-operated mental health services. Their mission is to provide a comprehensive and effective recovery-oriented system of mental health and addiction services that promotes self-sufficiency, dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect.� Within this service system, there are three state-operated Local Mental Health Authorities, which are located in Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington. In partnership with WCMHN, they provide and coordinate local clinical services. Over 200 staff including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation and mental health workers provide services for persons with a long-term mental illness.� Approximately 7,000 clients receive services in a variety of programs, including peer support programs, recovery services, supported employment, homeless services, residential, crisis services, jail diversion, outpatient, case management, Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTT) and young adult services.� 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. 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 Nicole Frascatore via�Nicole.Frascatore@ct.gov. Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency behavioral health program as part of a multi-disciplinary team at one or more locations this class is accountable for independently providing clinical counseling services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

As a member of a multi-disciplinary clinical team or within a network of community based behavioral health services, provides case management, needs assessment and supportive counseling in addressing client strengths, weaknesses and needs;� Develops, implements and maintains individualized treatment and rehabilitation plans for clients;� Works with treatment teams to assist individual patients in achieving social and emotional stability;� Develops psychosocial assessments through clinical interviews;� Provides clinical treatment services such as: triage, crisis intervention, individual and/or group counseling, screening and planning;� Makes use of available community services and facilities to assist clients in meeting identified needs;� Interprets and synthesizes client information, professional observations and evaluation reports in order to form professional judgments about services;� Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of treatment plans, documents treatment in clinical records;� Completes reports in accordance with agency and accrediting bodies;� Consults and collaborates with other behavioral health providers to improve delivery of services to clients;� Maintains counseling treatment and standards as required;� Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of principles, methodology, casework and techniques of counseling, interviewing and psychosocial assessment;� family and interpersonal relationship dynamics;� values, sanctions, purposes and ethics of professional counseling work;� community resources;� Considerable interpersonal skills;� oral and written communication skills;� Ability to devise and implement a treatment plan with measurable goals that address client needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Licensure as a professional counselor in the State of Connecticut.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience identifying risk factors, stressors and other variables that influence behaviors and treatment. Experience performing crisis and risk assessments in the office or out in the community. Bilingual in English/Spanish.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice professional counselor work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (a-f) of the Connecticut General Statutes. Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in certain designated positions. Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in certain designated positions. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive clients.

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.

Salary : $86,261 - $116,571