Professional Counselor (40 Hour)(Office/On-Site)

Introduction

Are you passionate about supporting individuals on their journey to recovery from behavioral health or substance use challenges?

Have you gained expertise in engaging individuals with compassion and empathy?

If so, we invite you to apply and join our dedicated team!

THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently accepting applications for the position of Professional Counselor within Young Adult Services! In this position, you will provide case management, needs assessment and supportive counseling in addressing client strengths, weaknesses and needs.

HIGHLIGHTS

• FACILITY: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)
• LOCATION: 1351 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT
• UNIT: Young Adult Services (YAS)
• SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week, First Shift, 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
• POSITION NUMBER: 26441

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our newState Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve;
• Assist our clients so they can achieve success;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.

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.

SWCMHS strives to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent. With three locations throughout Fairfield County, SWCMHS, promotes and administers comprehensive recovery oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment. These services include inpatient treatment programs and outpatient clinical services, as well as a wide range of additional supportive treatment services.

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 Reference Library 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 Jensine Tran at jensine.tran@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

• Develops psychosocial assessments through clinical interviews with assigned clients and families which include consideration of developmental, social and/or cultural, substance abuse, psychological, environmental and medical issues;
• Develops treatment plans with measurable treatment goals/objectives, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment plans, along with documenting treatment in clinical records;
• Provides clinical treatment services in the form of individual, group and/or family therapy, crisis intervention and risk assessment;
• Advocates and develops networks of social and clinical services to assist clients in meeting identified needs;
• Completes reports in accordance with agency and accrediting bodies;
• Consults and collaborates with other behavioral health providers to improve delivery of services to clients;
• Complies with ethical standards and DMHAS work rules;
• Maintains client and program safety;
• Utilizes an electronic health record, computer technology and data to perform job functions and inform management and supervisory practices;
• Performs safe work practices. Observes all confidentiality and client's rights regulations;
• Provides CPR and first aid as necessary;
• Performs other duties as required.

See the job specification for more information.

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 in a community-based outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment
• Experience with the principles, methodology, casework and techniques of counseling, interviewing and psychosocial assessment
• Experience working in an environment which embraces diversity and multiculturism
• Experience with interfacing with community providers, local hospitals, Police Departments, and outpatient clinical teams
• Experience with WORD and EXCEL computer software
• Experience using an Electronic Medical Record (such as WITS) and other proprietary software
• Experience transporting clients

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.