Professional Counselor

Introduction

Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you ready to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking dedicated and experienced Professional Counselors to join our team.

We provide an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, and effective services that promote dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency. At Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH), we offer opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals across our Addiction Services Division and Behavioral Health Division. CVH fosters a collaborative, supportive environment where team members work together to create life-changing outcomes for those we serve.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

Position Number: 142555

• 39 Tynan Circle Middletown, CT
• Unit: ASD Merritt 2DE
• 1st shift, 40 hours, Monday-Friday 8AM-4:30PM

Position Number: 142254

• 39 Tynan Circle Middletown, CT
• Unit: ASD Merritt 2DE
• 1st shift, 40 hours, Sunday-Thursday 8AM-4:30PM

Position Number: 144257

• 1000 Silver Street Middletown, CT
• Unit: ASD Merritt 2DE
• 2nd Shift, 40 hours, Sunday-Thursday 12PM-8:30PM

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting environment;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do.

The Role:

The Professional Counselor position offers the opportunity to provide meaningful clinical care within an acute psychiatric hospital setting, supporting individuals with complex behavioral health needs as they work toward stabilization and recovery. The role involves delivering active treatment and comprehensive discharge planning for patients in a 22-bed unit, ensuring continuity of care and successful transitions to community-based services.

As a key member of a multidisciplinary treatment team, the Professional Counselor conducts psychosocial assessments, develops and implements individualized treatment plans, and provides clinical services such as crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, and care coordination. The position emphasizes collaboration, professional judgment, and the use of community resources to promote patient strengths, improve outcomes, and support timely movement to the least restrictive level of care. This role is ideal for a counselor who is passionate about recovery-oriented care, teamwork, and making a direct impact in an acute behavioral health environment.

MORE 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.

CVH's vision and mission is to promote recovery through collaborative, compassionate, and culturally competent treatment in a safe, healthy, and caring environment. We provide trauma informed gender responsive treatment that empowers individuals to manage recovery, improve quality of life and return to the community.

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.

Selection Plan

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 DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• 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:

• 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.

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 Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence

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

• Experience working independently and self-directed.
• Experience utilizing oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with organizational and time management skills.
• Experience utilizing interpersonal skills and maintaining a professional manner.
• Experience using evidence-based practices in the treatment of substance use disorders.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice professional counselor work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (aa-jj) 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.

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