Professional Counselor

Introduction

Are you a Licensed Professional Counselorlooking for an opportunity to make a difference in the public sector? If so, read below and apply today ABOUT US: The, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services () 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. THE POSITION: We are currently recruiting a to help support our team within Southeast Mental Health Authority () in Norwich. POSITION SPECIFICS:
Schedules:  Full-Time (40 Hour), Monday - Friday, First Shift (8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.) Unit:  Outpatient Program (OPtions) Address: PCN:  129211 WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU: The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule; A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with ; Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings; Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year; Professional growth and development opportunities; A healthy balance to all employees; and State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click for more information. DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO Be an active member of an interdisciplinary treatment team that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve; Work with our clients so they can achieve success; and Work together in a collaborative team environment. ABOUT THE FACILITY: SMHA is a community mental health agency operated by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Its primary goal is to provide high quality behavioral health services to those in our community with mental health and substance use disorders who are 18 years or older and reside in New London County and its surrounding towns. Services, which include case management, outpatient behavioral health, crisis intervention, respite care, and forensic services, are recovery oriented and offered in a trauma informed and culturally sensitive manner. We support individuals to identify and achieve their own goals in recovery, fostering independence, dignity, and ability. ABOUT THE UNIT: OPtions is an outpatient program for adults 18 years and older with behavioral health needs. A multidisciplinary team provides individual and group therapy, as well as psychiatric evaluations and medication management. Trauma informed care is at the foundation of our services, and a talented clinical staff offers a wide range of treatment options for recovery such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical and Behavior Therapy (DBT). Start with us. Stay with us. Grow with us. 

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Please or our Applicant Tips on How to Apply

Please Note: 

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 , 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 . 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 .

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 .

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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

Bilingual in Spanish/English.

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.

Overview

Employee Benefits As a State of Connecticut employee you may be entitled to a host of benefits that are not only attractive, but also may be portable should your career bring you to other avenues of state service. From 13 paid holidays to accruing vacation time, being a State of Connecticut employee not only gives you the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, but the time to enjoy your own. Listed below are just some of the benefits the State of Connecticut offers depending on the position you hold: Health & Dental Insurance Accrued Vacation, Personal and Sick Leave (Subject to the appropriate bargaining union contract or state statute and regulations.) Retirement Plan Group Life Insurance Supplemental Benefits Voluntary Defined Contribution Plans Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care Program, Medical Flexible Spending, and Qualified Transportation) Supplemental Benefits Programs (Auto and Home Insurance, plus Short and Long Term Disability) Life Insurance State of CT Tuition Reimbursement Program Holidays

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