Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (37.5 Hour) Office/On-Site #250110-0699XN-001

Introduction

Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you looking to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
The State of Connecticu t , Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking a qualified and experienced individual for the position of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our team .


Position Highlights

• FACILITY: Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH)
• LOCATION: Middletown , CT
• SCHEDULE: Full -time (37.5 hours), 1st Shift, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm
• POSITION NUMBER: 89846
• Please note: This is a Hazardous Duty position.
  
  
  

What We Can Offer You

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunitie s.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• 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 Opportunity To

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.
  
  
  

The Role

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• In occupational therapy performs paraprofessional evaluations of clients including reflex testing, range of motion, muscle strength testing and sensory awareness;
• Trains clients in personal skills essential for privacy and independence including self-feeding, personal hygiene, dressing, bathing, grooming, communication skills, etc.;
• Designs therapy intervention programs;
• Under supervision of a licensed occupational therapist, determines need for adaptive equipment, assists in development of treatment plans and implements direct occupational therapy interventions;
• Trains direct care staff to implement programs;
• Implements physicians’ therapy orders.
  
  
  

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-s ufficiency in those we serve.

Whiting Forensic Hospital specializes in providing inpatient services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings. Services are provided to individuals who are admitted via Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) commitment, criminal court order for restoration of competency to stand trial, civil commitment or transfer from the Department of Correction. Discharge options are dependent on legal status and the purpose of admission. The hospital consists of 91 maximum security beds and 138 enhanced security beds.


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 .


We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make a difference!

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.
• 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.
  
  
  

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.
• Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview .
• C andidates 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 Julie Barker via email at Julie.Barker@ct.gov .
  
  
  

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a state facility this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of paraprofessional tasks in assisting in the assessment, planning and implementation of a program of purposeful activities to develop or maintain the adaptive skills necessary to achieve maximal physical and mental functioning.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• In occupational therapy performs paraprofessional evaluations of clients including reflex testing, range of motion, muscle strength testing and sensory awareness;
• Trains clients in personal skills essential for privacy and independence including self-feeding, personal hygiene, dressing, bathing, grooming, communication skills, etc.;
• Designs therapy intervention programs;
• Under supervision of a licensed occupational therapist, determines need for adaptive equipment, assists in development of treatment plans and implements direct occupational therapy interventions;
• Trains direct care staff to implement programs;
• Implements physicians’ therapy orders;
• Performs related duties as required.
  
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of principles and practices of occupational therapy;
• Considerable skill in application of occupational therapy techniques;
• Skills
• interpersonal skills;
• leadership skills;
• Ability to
• design paraprofessional therapy interventions;
• recognize change and to report/record pertinent information.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience
Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain a license as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant issued by the Connecticut State Department of Public Health in accordance with the applicable Connecticut General Statutes.


Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with adults in a forensic, locked, inpatient mental health setting.
• Experience running a variety of groups independently and co-facilitated with OTR.
  
  
  

Special Requirements

• Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in designated languages or proficient in use of American Sign language in certain positions.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain patients/clients; may have some exposure to infectious/communicable diseases and to some risk of injury from assaultive or abusive patients/clients; on occasion may be exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions.



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.