Lead Forensic Treatment Specialist (35 Hour)

State of Connecticut•Middletown, CT

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Step into a role where your forensic treatment experience supports safe, structured patient care within a high‑acuity therapeutic setting. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has multiple openings for Lead Forensic Treatment Specialist positions at Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH) in Middletown. This position ensures therapeutic relationships and safe custody of patients on the assigned unit and shift, implements nursing care and treatment plans, and provides lead guidance to Forensic Treatment Specialists. The role involves accurately observing, documenting, and reporting patient behavior and activities, supervising security procedures, and responding to unauthorized movement or adverse security conditions. Participation in patient management, including taking vital signs and performing trained clinical tasks, is also required. A comprehensive medical examination, including drug screening, is required following a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must comply with Connecticut’s Drug‑Free Workplace Policy. DMHAS is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of individuals with behavioral health needs through an integrated, holistic network of services that foster dignity, respect, and self‑sufficiency. WFH provides high-quality, comprehensive, and individualized treatment and evaluation services for patients with mental health conditions who are involved in the criminal justice system or are not yet ready to be safely treated in less restrictive settings.

Requirements

Two (2) years of experience as a Forensic Treatment Specialist
Considerable knowledge of psychiatric procedures, patient behavior and principles involved in care of the mentally ill
Considerable knowledge of modern medical, therapeutic and psychiatric routines, methods and procedures
Considerable knowledge of procedures used in safe custody of patients under security conditions
Considerable interpersonal skills
Considerable oral and written communication skills
Ability to lead staff
Ability to observe and report patient behavior and reactions
Ability to perform basic first aid procedures

Nice To Haves

Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.

Responsibilities

Ensures therapeutic relationships and safe custody of patients on the assigned unit and shift
Implements nursing care and treatment plans and provides lead guidance to Forensic Treatment Specialists
Accurately observes, documents, and reports patient behavior and activities
Supervises security procedures and responds to unauthorized movement or adverse security conditions
Participates in patient management, including taking vital signs and performing trained clinical tasks
Other duties as assigned
Ensures proper development and maintenance of therapeutic relationships and safe custody of patients on an assigned unit on a particular shift
Assists in orientation of Forensic Treatment Specialists
Implements nursing care and treatment plans through active participation in patient care conferences and by exercising lead responsibility over Forensic Treatment Specialists
Accurately observes and reports patient activities and behavior
Effectively supervises and implements security regulations
Observes, reports and corrects adverse security conditions including unauthorized movement of patients, visitors and staff
Takes vital signs
Supervises and may participate in patient management on units
After proper training may prepare and administer medication other than controlled substances and perform first aid procedures
May assist in planning and implementation of patient activities programs