Rehabilitation Therapist 1 (Therapeutic Recreation) (37.5 Hour)(Office/On-Site)

Introduction

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

If so, come Make an ImpaCT by serving your state!

Read below and apply today!

THE ROLE:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is now inviting applications for aRehabilitation Therapist 1 (Therapeutic Recreation) to join our team. CVH is designed to provide trauma informed gender responsive treatment that empowers individuals to manage recovery, improve quality of life, and return to the community.

The selected candidates will support ASD 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:

• Schedule: Full-Time (37.5 Hours), First Shift, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday (8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.) & Tuesday (11:30 A.M. - 7:30 P.M.)
• Facility: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
• Unit: Addiction Services Merritt Hall
• Address: 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT
• PCN: 136801

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

• Visit our newState Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance!
• 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!

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; and
• Perform therapeutic recreation interventions designed to assist in meeting client goals and improving levels of overall functioning.

OUR MISSION:

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.

ABOUT THE HOSPITAL:

CVH opened in 1868 as the State’s public hospital for the treatment of persons with mental illness. Throughout its history, it has experienced the multitude of medical, social and political changes affecting such facilities. In 1995, the Governor and General Assembly through a statewide restructuring of services for persons with psychological and addiction disabilities called for a renewed commitment to specialized treatment at CVH by expanding community options for patients and staff while closing two other hospitals and consolidating inpatient services here. The hospital became the amalgamation of four formerly freestanding psychiatric hospitals, four freestanding substance use disorder treatment facilities, and one maximum security hospital. Then in 2010, the former Cedarcrest Regional Hospital (with 2 campuses – Cedar Ridge campus in Newington and Blue Hills campus in Hartford) consolidated services with CVH. On May 1, 2018, the Whiting Forensic Division of CVH separated, creating two separate hospitals; Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) and Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH). Today, CVH is comprised of 17 inpatient units over two campuses (Middletown and Hartford).

We welcome you to be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals and assist our clients/patients so they can achieve success. You will experience the opportunity to make a difference in the public sector as well as Make an ImpaCT as a Rehabilitation Therapist 1 (Therapeutic Recreation) for the State of Connecticut! We encourage you to apply today!

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:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

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 by the closing date listed on the job posting.

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.
• 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 Nicole Frascatore via Nicole.Frascatore@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 facility this class is accountable for the evaluation, planning and application of a recognized therapeutic discipline to provide treatment for individuals with an intellectual disability, emotional disabilities and physical disabilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Evaluates individual level of functioning by assessing behavior and reviewing medical, social and emotional case histories;
• Writes and implements treatment plans using a specific modality;
• Conducts individual and group activities, consulting with other professionals and selecting appropriate techniques and materials to teach skills to correct disorders in intellectual, emotional or motor status of an individual;
• Attends case conferences, actively participating in admission, treatment and discharge planning;
• Observes, records and evaluates individual progress;
• Participates in or assists in conducting training programs for staff therapists and rehabilitation and nursing students;
• Uses data from observation and diagnostic evaluations to develop goals and new activities;
• Administers and interprets evaluations in specialty areas;
• Requisitions and distributes supplies;
• Adapts musical, art and recreational equipment used in designated discipline;
• May attend workshops and conferences;
• May transport and escort individuals to off grounds activities;
• May perform prevocational activities with individual;
• May participate in and plan special activities within community;
• May perform duties in individual home or community setting;
• May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • principles and practices of the therapeutic recreation discipline;
  • physical and intellectual disorders;
  • individual and group dynamics;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Skill in application of therapeutic techniques.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Four (4) 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience conducting individual and group activities.
• Experience working in a behavioral health and substance use treatment setting.
• Experience evaluating client progress and documenting the completion of Rehabilitation - Therapeutic recreation assessments.

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 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 to moderately disagreeable job 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.