Mental Health Associate (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut•Bridgeport, CT

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified and experienced individual for the position of Mental Health Associate to join their Transitional Residence Program (TRP) team. This role provides direct, hands-on supervision and support to clients and staff in a 24-hour residential treatment program. The position collaborates with the TRP Nursing Supervisor and Behavioral Health Program Manager (BHPM) to ensure safe program operations and adequate staffing coverage, including participation in the program's on-call rotation to maintain continuity of care. DMHAS is a health care agency focused on promoting the health and wellness of individuals with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of services. Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) oversees contracts with private agencies providing mental health services in the southwest region of the state. The Transitional Residence Program (TRP) offers short-term housing and rehabilitative programming for up to 12 homeless individuals, providing supported living services, medication monitoring, skill-building groups, and community re-entry support.

Requirements

Three (3) years of experience at the level of a Mental Health Assistant 2, Licensed Practical Nurse or its equivalent in a psychiatric setting.
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 up 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 acceptable standards of nursing care; psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles, practices, and procedures; dynamics of individual and group behavior.
Knowledge of supervisory and administrative methods and techniques; hygiene and sanitation; security, safety, and fire procedures; community resources and programs.
Considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; Observation skills.
Considerable ability to apply the principles of therapeutic counseling.
Ability to lead staff; supervise client activity; direct others in the formulation of plans for client care; interpret and implement agency/facility policies and procedures; organize; coordinate and collaborate effectively with individuals, groups and families; train and teach; effectively handle emergency situations independently.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in outpatient, residential, and/or inpatient behavioral health settings.
Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other standard office software to support team workflows, documentation, and day-to-day service delivery.
Experience using an electronic medical record (EMR/EHR) system.
Holds a valid driver’s license with experience coordinating and providing client transportation in support of service needs.
Experience providing leadership to direct care staff and supervising daily client activities.
Experience interpreting and implementing agency or healthcare policies and procedures.
Experience using advanced organizational and time-management skills to support efficient operations in a health care environment.
Experience coordinating and communicating effectively with clients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and community providers.
Experience providing training, coaching, or mentoring staff.
Experience responding to emergency situations both independently and as part 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.

Responsibilities

Provide recovery-oriented, culturally responsive services.
Support ADLs and independent living skills (hygiene, meals, budgeting, housekeeping).
Facilitate therapeutic, psychoeducational, and life-skills groups.
Use evidence-informed practices (IDDT, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, person-centered planning).
Ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, DPH, DMHAS/SWCMHS standards.
Maintain accurate documentation in the Electronic Health Record.
Coordinate care with interdisciplinary teams, providers, families, and community agencies.
Supervise, train, coach, and evaluate direct care staff.
Provide culturally responsive, recovery-oriented services to adults requiring intensive supervision in a structured residential treatment environment.
Apply principles of psychiatric rehabilitation, case management, and adult development to support client recovery and community integration.
Participate in client assessment, crisis intervention, ongoing monitoring, and implementation of individualized recovery and risk management plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team.
Provide direct care to individuals with psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders, and co-occurring medical conditions through supervision, therapeutic engagement, skill-building, and recovery-oriented interventions.
Coordinate and facilitate structured therapeutic, psychoeducational, life skills, and recovery-oriented groups to promote engagement, skill development, community integration, and independent living.
Educate, coach, and assist clients in maintaining personal hygiene, a safe and sanitary living environment, and healthy daily routines that promote wellness, recovery, and independence.
Provide transportation and community-based support services, including accompanying clients to appointments, treatment services, recreational activities, community outings, and other recovery-oriented activities while maintaining confidentiality and protecting client rights.
Support the scheduling of client appointments and assist in maintaining appropriate staffing coverage and continuity of services.
Monitor, observe, and document client presentation, behavior, progress, and significant clinical events in accordance with agency policies and regulatory requirements.
Complete timely, accurate, and thorough clinical documentation in the DMHAS/SWCMHS Electronic Health Record (EHR) in accordance with agency policies, procedures, and documentation standards.
Observe and document client self-administration of medications, when assigned, in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
Develop staff schedules and assignments to ensure adequate staffing coverage, continuity of care, and safe program operations.
Provide orientation, training, and ongoing coaching to direct reports in accordance with agency policies, including client care, hygiene, sanitation, safety, security procedures, management of assaultive behavior, documentation standards, and development of behavioral objectives.
Provide guidance and clinical support to staff to promote client stabilization, recovery, and reduced risk of hospitalization.
Promote cultural humility, diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect within the workplace and service environment.
Demonstrate sensitivity to client needs and protect client rights in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and agency policies.
Demonstrate effective interpersonal, communication, listening, observational, critical thinking, and documentation skills, with the ability to follow verbal and written instructions and effectively engage individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
Adhere to DMHAS/SWCMHS policies and procedures, including attendance, professional conduct, ethics, confidentiality, and work standards.
Maintain current competency in safety procedures, CPR, and First Aid in accordance with agency requirements.