Mental Health Assistant 2 (32 Hour)

State of Connecticut•Norwich, CT

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Mental Health Assistant 2 to join their Young Adult Services team in Norwich. This is a part-time position (32 hours/week) with a first shift schedule from Tuesday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The role is community-based, supporting clients across Southeastern Connecticut. The agency's mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of services and supports. SMHA provides high-quality behavioral health services to individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, offering recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive services. The Young Adult Services (YAS) Program specifically assists young adults (ages 18-25) in transitioning to the adult mental health system and developing life skills. The YAS Program is multi-disciplinary and offers a wide array of services including case management, therapy, life skills development, vocational/educational supports, medication monitoring, community integration, and assistance with housing.

Requirements

Three (3) years of experience at the level of a Mental Health Assistant 1.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing case management services
Experience providing services to young adults
Experience working with clients with mental health and substance use disorders
Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
Incumbents in this class may be retained a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Responsibilities

Provide case management services for 60+ young adults in the Young Adult Services (YAS) Program, supporting housing, entitlements, transportation, and access to essential appointments.
Assist young adults in accessing community resources that support basic needs, safety, and independent living.
Participate in assessments, service linkage, outreach, crisis intervention, and home-based family contacts.
Teach and model independent living skills; provide targeted case management interventions to an assigned caseload.
Monitor clients’ self-administration of medications and coordinate outpatient appointments.
Serve as a liaison to community agencies and maintain communication with the clinical treatment team.
Enter documentation in the electronic health record, including recovery plans, reassessments, encounter notes, and required case management records.
Co-lead psychosocial rehabilitation groups and provide verbal support and problem-solving assistance in community settings.
Support high‑risk young adults with complex psychiatric, medical, trauma, legal, and substance use challenges transitioning from youth services to adult living.
Provide Targeted Case Management, a Medicaid‑billable service, ensuring compliance with billing and documentation standards.
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.
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.