Introduction
Are you seeking an opportunity to make a significant impact?
Join our dynamic team and play a pivotal role in making lasting, positive changes throughout communities across Connecticut!
Join the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) as a Young Adult Services Program Specialist – Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation)! We are recruiting for two (2) experienced individuals to join the Young Adult Services (YAS) Department within Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS). SWCMHS YAS is designed to provide age appropriate clinical and residential support services to young adults with behavioral health disorders between the ages of 18-25, providing intensive recovery oriented services that take into account developmental processes, the impact of traumas, and family issues.
The selected candidates will support YAS clients in learning recovery skills to improve daily functioning, plan, schedule and conduct individual and group educational, cultural and social rehabilitation activities to improve and enhance recovery skills and client functioning.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
- DIVISION: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)
- DEPARTMENT: Young Adult Services (YAS)
- ADDRESS: Bridgeport, CT
- HOURS: Full-time (40 hours weekly)
- SCHEDULE: See below
Position 1 Tuesday & Saturday: 1:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Position 2Monday & Thursday: 1:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:
- Explore our comprehensive State Employee Benefits Overview to see what we offer
- Be part of the prestigious Forbes-ranked State of Connecticut, recognized as one of the Best Employers of 2023. Experience national acclaim for providing unparalleled job growth, competitive benefits, and flexible schedules.
- Enjoy endless opportunities for professional growth and development
- Embrace a healthy work/life balance tailored to all employees
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
- Complete all rehabilitation therapy documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, group documentation, and reassessments needed to meet joint commission guidelines;
- Perform therapeutic recreation interventions designed to assist in meeting client goals and improving levels of overall functioning;
- Explore local community recreational resources with clients while teaching life skills for Young Adult Services clients;
- Conduct vocational educational work program and coordinate educational opportunities through the recovery education center.
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 DIVISION:
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
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 Alyssa Hovanec via email at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a state facility this class is accountable for the planning, administration, implementation and evaluation of professional therapy programs in a recognized therapeutic discipline for individuals with an intellectual disability, emotional disabilities and physical disabilities.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Selects, plans, administers and implements a therapeutic program by utilizing a specific therapy function to teach skills to correct disorders in intellectual, emotional or motor status of an individual;
- Evaluates client level of functioning by assessing behavior and reviewing medical, social, and emotional case histories;
- Writes and implements treatment plans;
- Plans, schedules and conducts individual and group activities;
- Actively participates in admission, treatment and discharge planning of an individual;
- Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings presenting cases and discussing future treatment goals and objectives for an individual;
- Participates in institutional, professional and community groups and/or task forces;
- Participates in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary committees;
- Trains and supervises staff and individuals in application of a specific discipline;
- Provides in-service training to other staff;
- Attends and participates in workshops and conferences;
- Gathers and uses data from observation and diagnostic tests to develop goals and new activities;
- Coordinates therapy services with other disciplines such as occupational or physical therapy;
- Selects appropriate materials and implements a therapeutic program to meet needs of individual;
- Maintains and orders equipment;
- Observes, records and evaluates individual progress;
- May transport and escort individuals to community functions;
- May teach direct care and paraprofessional staff in application of a specific therapy;
- May make adaptive equipment;
- May perform prevocational activities with client and/or patient;
- May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of the therapeutic recreation discipline;
- Knowledge of
- physical and intellectual disorders;
- individual and group dynamics;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Skill in evaluating individual needs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Five (5) years of professional experience in the appropriate professional rehabilitation therapy program specialty performing such activities as program evaluation, planning and application for individuals with an intellectual disability, emotional disabilities and physical disabilities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS – SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
- College training in the appropriate recognized therapeutic recreation discipline may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
- One (1) year of experience at the level of a Rehabilitation Therapist 1 or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience conducting individual and group activities
- Experience working in a behavioral health setting
- Experience recording and evaluating client and/or patient progress
- Experience writing and implementing treatment plans
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (W.S.I.), and/or life saving (CPR, First Aid) from the American Red Cross.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the 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 exposed to some danger of injury and moderately disagreeable conditions while providing treatment to individuals with disabilities.
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.
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