Mental Health Assistant 1 (32 Hour) (Part-Time)(Office/On-Site)

Introduction

Are you looking to help your state in a time of need?

Does a career in State service as a Mental Health Assistant 1 excite you?!

If so, come make an impact by serving your state!

Read below and apply today! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking a Mental Health Assistant 1 to join our team. We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate individual to join our direct-care team to improve the well-being for our clients/patients. 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• SCHEDULE: Part-Time (32 Hour), Third Shift (11:30 P.M. - 8:00 A.M.)
  • Week 1 ON: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
  • Week 2 ON: Saturday/Sunday/Thursday
• FACILITY: Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC)
• UNIT: Inpatient Unit
• ADDRESS: 34 Park Street, New Haven
• PCN: 127928

STARTING SALARY INFORMATION:

• New hires to the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 shall be paid an hourly rate of $27.58.  
• Upon successful completion of the working test period, effective the payroll period following, the Employee shall be compensated at an hourly rate of $28.55. 
• 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.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

• Visit our newState Employee Benefits Overview page!

• The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule;
• We encourage a strong work/life balance for all state employees. 
• We offer opportunities for professional and personal growth. 

ABOUT US:

CMHC is an urban community mental health center with an exceptional 50-year tradition of serving individuals with serious mental illness and/or addiction.  Founded in 1966, CMHC is a partnership between DHMAS and the Yale Department of Psychiatry.  Each year over 4,000 people receive a variety of recovery-oriented services at CMHC and its satellite clinics.

CMHC is nationally recognized for its scientific research into the causes and treatment of mental illness and addiction.  The Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities include multiple research programs in a variety of areas.  CMHC is also a major training site for individuals pursuing careers in mental health fields including psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing, and pastoral care.

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!

Please Note:

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.

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.

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.

Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, 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.

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 Nicole Frascatore via email at Nicole.Frascatore@ct.gov.

*Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.

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.

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 working in a mental health facility.
• Experience working on multi role unit.
• Experience working with patients having Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse Diagnosis. 
• Experience observing and recording client/patient behavior in an inpatient/residential setting and preparing pertinent reports.
• Experience providing assistance with activities of daily living in an inpatient setting.
• Experience working in a clinical setting and providing verbal de-escalation techniques to clients/patients.

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.

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.