Mental Health Assistant 2 (40 Hour) Office/On-site #251216-5723FK-001 at State of Connecticut

Introduction

Are you passionate about supporting young adults on their journey to independence and wellness?

Join our mission-driven team as a Mental Health Assistant 2.

Apply today!
The State of Connecticu t Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a compassionate and motivated Mental Health Assistant 2 to join the Young Adult Services (YAS) team within Western Connecticut Mental Health Network in Waterbury, CT. This is a unique opportunity to work directly with young adults (ages 18-25) who are navigating complex behavioral health challenges, including trauma and substance use.


Position Highlights

• DIVISION: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN)
• UNIT: Young Adult Services (YAS)
• LOCATION: Waterbury , CT
• SCHEDULE: Full-time (40 hours/week), First Shift, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM. - 4:30 PM
• Includes a late night every Thursday from 10:00am- 6:30pm
• Includes one weekend shift per month (with Friday and Monday off that week)
• POSITION NUMBER: 107911
  
  

Why The State Of Connecticut

• Explore our comprehensive State Employee Benefits Overview to see what we offer
• Enjoy endless opportunities forprofessional growth and development
• Embrace a healthy work/life balance tailored to all employees
  
  
  

Discover The Opportunity To

• Provide case management, care coordination, and skill-building support to young adults in a community setting
• Participate in recovery planning and implement care plans based on individual needs
• Offer individual and group support in areas like budgeting, cooking, cleaning, and transportation
• Conduct community visits to engage young adults and assess progress
• Coordinate services with team members, community providers, and natural supports
• Support clients in accessing medical care, housing, entitlements, and vocational/educational goals
• Assist in developing coping strategies and identifying potential risks
• Attend team meetings, case conferences, and other collaborative sessions
• Maintain accurate documentation and meet productivity standards
  
  
  

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-s ufficiency in those we serve.

Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN) was established in 1996 by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). It oversees clinical, fiscal, and administrative aspects of mental health services in Region 5. The network operates in Waterbury, Danbury, and Torrington, with over 200 dedicated staff offering comprehensive services for individuals with long-term mental illnesses.


About Young Adult Services (yas)
The Young Adult Services program provides trauma-informed, recovery-focused support to individuals ages 18 to 25. Designed to meet the unique needs of young adults, YAS offers flexible, developmentally appropriate services at various levels of care. These community-based services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team and include individual, group, and family therapy; case management; psychosocial skill-building; and employment support. The program also emphasizes intensive outreach, proactive engagement, and personalized assistance with independent living skills, all tailored to each individual's stage of development and functioning.


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 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 [email protected] .
• 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 Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec @ct.gov .

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


PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, community behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for leading Mental Health Assistants in the assessment, planning and implementation of paraprofessional nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions designed to support client short and/or long-term needs. In outpatient or community programs this class is accountable for independently performing the full range of paraprofessional functions in case management and crisis intervention services.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Participates in assigned nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions to meet client short and long-term needs;
• Advocates for services or resources that meet client needs and preferences;
• Observes and records client behavior;
• Prepares incident and accident reports;
• Monitors client progress;
• Assists client with decision making and problem solving;
• Assists client in learning and utilizing daily living skills, budgeting, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills;
• Acts as a role model and instructs staff in crisis intervention techniques;
• Develops goal-directed relationships with individuals and/or groups;
• Identifies and facilitates use of appropriate support networks;
• Investigates alternative placement for client;
• Participates in education and training activities to further skill development;
• Participates in admission and discharge planning activities;
• Protects civil rights of client;
• Maintains a safe and healthy environment;
• May coordinate and direct programs and activities for a group of clients;
• Performs related duties as required.
  
  
  

Community And/or Outpatient Programs

• Functions as a team member of a case management or crisis intervention team;
• Participates in assessment, crisis intervention and monitoring of clients within facility or community at large (i.e., emergency rooms, jails, homeless shelters, outpatient programs, etc.);
• Provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision;
• Identifies and reinforces client skills, strengths, resources and preferences;
• Applies accepted standards of nursing care to clients;
• Participates in community outreach programs that include crisis intervention and family contact in home settings;
• Identifies and accesses a wide range of community resources;
• Participates as a liaison to community agencies;
• Makes arrangements for outpatient appointments;
• Consults with care givers in other facilities regarding crisis intervention techniques;
• Manages client behaviors through verbal communication when necessary;
• May problem solve with clients in community.
  
  
  

Inpatient Ward Or Unit

• Leads, trains and participates in training and development of Mental Health Assistants and other assigned employees;
• Participates in developing and maintaining a therapeutic milieu;
• Coordinates maintenance of a safe and healthy living environment;
• Participates in meeting psychological and physical needs of client;
• Identifies client strengths and assists in development of treatment plans;
• Orients new client to ward or unit;
• Participates in team nursing activities and development of nursing care and rehabilitation programs;
• May supervise self-administration of oral medications;
• May assist with data collection.
  
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
• psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles, practices and procedures;
• acceptable standards of nursing care;
• Knowledge of
• dynamics of human behavior;
• hygiene and sanitation;
• safety and fire procedures and security measures;
• community resources and programs;
• Considerable
• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• counseling skills;
• Observation skills;
• Ability to
• lead staff;
• supervise client activity;
• interpret and implement agency and/or facility policies and procedures;
• apply principles of therapeutic counseling under supervision;
• develop curricula and instruct groups;
• organize;
• understand, interpret and carry out oral and written instructions.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience
Three (3) years of experience at the level of a Mental Health Assistant 1.


Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed

• College training in mental health technology, a behavioral science, social work, rehabilitation therapy or its equivalent 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 two (2) years.
• Completion of a mental health trainee certificate program may be substituted for one-half (1/2) year of the General Experience.
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with young adult population (ages 18 to 25) with behavioral health, substance abuse and trauma issues
• Experience and knowledge co-leading groups
• Experience providing trauma-sensitive services and coordinating responsive care for clients in crisis
• Experience working with diverse populations and providing culturally sensitive care based on client needs
• Experience documenting in an electronic health record
• Experience using common computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams
  
  
  

Special Requirements

• Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients and may have significant exposure to infectious and/or communicable diseases, strongly disagreeable conditions and risk of injury.



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.