Certified Addiction Counselor (32 Hour)(Office/On-Site)

Introduction

Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference?  Are you looking to take the next step in your career?  If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently seeking qualified and experienced individuals for the position of Certified Addiction Counselor.  

Position Highlights:

• FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
• DIVISION: Addiction Services Division (ASD)
• LOCATION: Middletown, CT
• SCHEDULE: Part-time, 32 hours weekly
• PCN:76787, Merritt 2AB, Male Rehab Unit, 2nd shift, Sunday - Wednesday 1:30pm - 10:00pm
• PCN: 139981, Merritt 2DE, Male Rehab Unit, 2nd shift, Sunday - Wednesday 1:30pm - 10:00pm
• PCN: 139980, Merritt 3AB, Male Rehab Unit, 2nd shift, Sunday - Wednesday 1:30pm - 10:00pm

What We Can Offer You:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees. 

*Benefit offerings will vary with part-time positions. 

Discover The Opportunity To:

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
• Thrive in an exciting environment;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.

The Role:

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for assessment/ screening services to alcohol and drug dependent patients to determine treatment service needs;
• Provides substance abuse counseling services to address patient's recovery; 
• Provides case management services, utilizing internal and external resources, to ensure integrated comprehensive services; 
• Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment;
• Psycho educational program development, implementation and monitoring for clients, families and others;
• Serves as a member of inter- and intra-disciplinary teams.

About Us:

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. 

CVH's vision and mission is to promote recovery through collaborative, compassionate, and culturally competent treatment in a safe, healthy, and caring environment.  We provide trauma informed gender responsive treatment that empowers individuals to manage recovery, improve quality of life and return to the community.  

The Addiction Services Division (ASD) is a component of Connecticut Valley Hospital; a State of Connecticut non-profit facility operated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), which provides 24-hour inpatient services. ASD offers inpatient services located in Middletown and Hartford. Both campuses provide two levels of care: 

• Acute detoxification provides care for individuals who are experiencing acute withdrawal from substances.
• Intensive treatment is available for those who need structure and education in order to start their recovery process.

Please note:

• A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
• All state employees must adhere to Connecticut’s Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

To Apply:

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
• In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
• The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email and/or phone, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
• Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
• Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
• For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

Connect With Us:

• Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
• Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Julie Barker via email at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Veterans' Affairs this class is accountable for providing specialized counseling services to clients in a behavioral health treatment program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Provides counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients; 
• Screens clients to determine eligibility for programs; 
• Assesses strengths, weaknesses and treatment needs; 
• Orients clients to treatment program; 
• Participates in treatment planning and individual and/or group counseling; 
• Responsible for case management activities; 
• Provides crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress; 
• Makes referrals to outside or other programs for medical and/or psychological intervention; 
• Maintains confidential reports and records of client data; 
• Represents program at community events and seminars; 
• Educates clients on substance abuse issues and availability of resources; 
• Consults with service providers to assure comprehensive integrated care; 
• May escort clients; 
• May provide coverage duties; 
• May collect urine for drug screening; 
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse; 
  • counseling principles and techniques; 
  • community resources; 
  • confidentiality provisions; 
  • infectious diseases; 
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communication skills; 
• Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of an individual.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three (3) years of experience involving risk reduction education and counseling to assist alcohol and drug dependent individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor may be substituted for the General Experience.
• For state employees three (3) years of experience as a Certified Addiction Counselor Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Counseling Services to alcohol and drug dependent clients.
• Experience in facilitating group counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients.
• Experience with other Agency service providers and community outreach.
• Experience with case management activities.
• Experience with discharge planning.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.
• Individuals recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs are required to have two (2) years of substance free time to be considered for a position in a substance abuse program.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid driver's license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

A medical and/or psychiatric examination may be required prior to appointment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to perform moderate amounts of lifting or restraining of patients and exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive patients.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.