Mental Health Associate (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut•Waterbury, CT

7d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated professional to support individuals on their recovery journey from mental health and substance use challenges. The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a full-time Mental Health Associate (PCN 125969) for the Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN) Waterbury Housing and Homeless Team. This role involves providing housing services and case management to homeless and disabled individuals to support housing stability, identifying risk factors, coordinating with community providers, and managing documentation. The position also requires crisis assessment and management as needed. 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. WCMHN's mission is to provide a comprehensive and effective recovery-oriented system of mental health and addiction services that promotes self-sufficiency, dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect.

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 settings and providing services within the community
Experience preparing written documentation and maintaining and updating various administrative and client support documents
Experience working with individuals who have mental health and/or substance abuse disorders
Experience locating housing and associated resources and working with homeless individuals
Experience using computers and electronic systems to complete documentation, maintain records, and support administrative tasks to support client services
Bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language
Possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license

Responsibilities

Provide housing services and case management to homeless and disabled individuals to support housing stability
Identify risk factors and stressors that affect behavior, treatment engagement and housing success
Coordinate with community providers, landlords and interdisciplinary team members to maintain stable housing
Assist an assigned caseload in obtaining and maintaining successful housing through HUD‑funded programs
Manage high volumes of required documentation in compliance with Federal and State guidelines
Provide crisis assessment and management as needed
Assumes responsibility for the supervision, training, and evaluation of assigned staff
Plans and develops personnel schedules and assignments to provide adequate and safe coverage
Applies accepted standards of nursing care and administration
Assists in the evaluation of the quality of nursing care being administered
Investigates and reports any unusual incidents
Assures confidentiality of oral and written reports
Coordinates support services such as dietary, maintenance, etc.
Supports and participates in the protection of human and civil rights of clients
Assures that federal and state regulations and directives are followed
Participates in unit, program, and department meetings
Collaborates with members of other disciplines in the planning, development and implementation of hospital programs and services
Cooperates and collaborates with clinical personnel in developing and maintaining a therapeutic milieu
May supervise the self-administration of oral medications
May assist in approved research projects
Performs direct client care functions and other related duties as required
Coordinates and facilitates the activities of clients
Functions as team member of a case management or crisis team or program
Participates in the assessment, crisis intervention and monitoring of clients in the community at large (i.e., ERs, jails, homeless shelters, outpatient programs, etc.)
Assists clients in acquiring daily living skills, budgeting, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills
Provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision
Applies accepted standards of nursing care to clients
Supervises staff of lesser grades or other disciplines
Provides clinical therapeutic counseling and/or preventive education services to community groups and individuals, including the development and administration of curriculum on various issues relevant to the community
Independently participates in community outreach programs that include crisis interventions, case management and/or family support in home settings
Participates as a liaison to community agencies
Makes arrangements for outpatient appointments
Provides information on department philosophy and objectives
May perform problem-solving techniques with clients in their natural environment
May assist in the motivation of long-term clients in small groups hospital programs or in community
May coordinate crisis-intervention plans to circumvent hospitalization
May support and supervise clients in transitional living facilities
May assess families in need of respite care programs
Trains mental health assistants in the principles, practices, and procedures of client care, nursing care, supervision and administration, hygiene, sanitation, safety, security, and fire prevention, the management of assaultive behavior, report writing, and writing of behavioral objectives
Provides information on the dynamics of human behavior
Trains employees in the techniques of group work
Trains employees in the methods of supporting clients in avoiding hospitalization