Mental Health Assistant 1 (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut•Hartford, CT

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Capitol Region Mental Health (CRMHC), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified individual to join our team as a Mental Health Assistant 1 (PCN 27147) in Hartford. This dedicated and compassionate individual will be a vital part of our direct-care team and improve the well-being for our clients and patients. The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (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. Capitol Region Mental Health Center (CRMHC) is a community based mental health center, operated by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, which provides an array of innovative clinical and community support services to individuals with a psychiatric disability, in many cases with co-occurring problems of substance abuse.

Requirements

One (1) year of experience at the level of a Mental Health Trainee.
An Associate's degree in mental health technology may be substituted for the General Experience.
Two (2) years of college training in a behavioral science, social work, rehabilitation therapy or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience.
One (1) year of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist providing peer support to agency clients may be substituted for the General Experience.
Completion of a mental health trainee certificate program may be substituted for one-half (1/2) year of the General Experience.
Knowledge of acceptable standards of nursing care; psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles and procedures; community support systems and resources; Considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; counseling skills; Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Nice To Haves

Experience within an inpatient unit.
Experience in providing direct care in a behavioral health setting.
Experience working as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
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.

Responsibilities

Function as part of a multidisciplinary team providing direct care to inpatient individuals with severe mental illness transitioning to the community
Assist patients, under supervision, in learning and practicing daily living skills
Provide individual and group supportive treatment
Help manage patient behaviors using supportive verbal communication
Motivate patients to actively participate in therapeutic activities and develop personal treatment goals, including discharge planning
Maintain a safe, healthy environment while protecting patients’ civil rights
Perform safety rounds to identify potential ligature risks and ensure unit safety
Observe, document, and report patient behaviors and concerns to the Head Nurse
Accompany patients to community-based services such as medical appointments, visits to different levels of care, and community activities
Provide ongoing safety monitoring on the unit, including patient and environmental rounding, documentation, and reporting to the charge nurse
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
Assists client in developing effective strategies for managing internal and external stress
Routinely solicits personal goals and preferences
Identifies and facilitates use of appropriate support networks
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 manage client behaviors through verbal communication as needed
Performs related duties as required
Functions as a member of a case management team or program
Participates in assessment, crisis intervention and monitoring of clients in community at large (i.e., emergency rooms, jails, homeless shelters, outpatient programs, etc.)
Assists client in learning and practicing daily living skills, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills
Provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision
Communicates and interacts with clients
Participates in development of nursing care and treatment plans
Encourages client to participate in therapeutic activities
Observes and records client behavior and prepares pertinent reports
Participates in on-going education and training programs
May participate in follow up of client in community-based services
May supervise self-administration of oral medication