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!
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)
- UNIT: Hospital Services Division (Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit 1 (PICU I), Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU ll), and the Co-Occurring Treatment Unit (CTU))
- LOCATION: Bridgeport, CT
- SCHEDULE: Full-time with every other weekend and rotating holidays
- SHIFT: First (8:00am - 4:30pm), Second (4:00pm - 12:30am), Third (12:15am - 8:15am)
- NOTE: This position can be assigned to any unit and work schedule/shift.
PLEASE NOTE:
- 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.
WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
- Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
- 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 $27.65.
- Upon successful completion of the working test period, effective the payroll period following, the Employee shall be compensated at an hourly rate of $28.98.
- 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.
- The full salary range (after completion of working test period) is: $60,497 - $81,483 annually; $28.98 - $39.03 hourly
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
- Provide treatment for severely and acutely ill psychiatric patients who require a safe, supportive, highly structured hospital level of care;
- Work with a treatment team that develops goals to assist patients to stabilize, rehabilitate, and establish and focus on their recovery goals;
- Assist patients in regaining a level of functioning that will allow them to transition to a less restrictive environment and to return to community-based living;
- Provide continuity and coordination of patient care;
- Collaborate with unit staff and be responsive to patient care needs;
- Ensure a safe and therapeutic milieu within a psychiatric treatment program;
- Establish therapeutic relationships;
- Respond to and deescalate patients in crisis;
- Support and assist patients with transferring from bed to chair, commode, and ambulation as needed to maintain safety and prevent falls;
- Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of providers, and other patient natural supports to ensure patients receive the highest quality of mental health care.
- Perform related duties as required.
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.
The Hospital Services Division is made up of a total of 62 beds The PICU 1 and PICU 2 each provide 21 beds, and the CTU provides 20 beds, for residents of Connecticut. Admissions to the inpatient units are coordinated through a statewide Utilization Management process coordinated by the Office of the Commissioner Medical Director’s Office. All three locked units are responsible for providing treatment to individuals who are severely, acutely and persistently psychiatrically disabled who require a safe, supportive, highly structured hospital level of care. The treatment goals are developed in which the individual can be stabilized, evaluated, rehabilitated, helped to accept the need for ongoing treatment, and assisted in regaining a level of functioning that will allow the person to be treated in a less restrictive environment or lo return to community-based living. Hospital Services Division treatment staff work closely with community providers to ensure that a smooth transition to the community exists. All Hospital Services Division units provide assessment and stabilization, with the emphasis on community reentry and focus on rehabilitation with an emphasis on intense skills building needed for community reintegration.
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.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit 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 [email protected].
- 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:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
- For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- 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.
- This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.
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 Jensine Tran at [email protected].
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
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.
- 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 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.
One (1) year of experience at the level of a Mental Health Trainee.
- 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.
- Experience working in a clinical setting and providing verbal de-escalation techniques to clients/patients
- Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team/program
- Experience providing leadership/direction to colleagues on a team
- Experience providing assistance with activities of daily living in an inpatient setting
- 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 in an inpatient setting and preparing pertinent reports
- 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.
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.
