Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Coordinator (Client/Patient)(Office/On-site)

Introduction

Are you looking for the next step in your career?

If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to be a part of our team, committed to the goal of making a difference for individuals with mental health challenges!

TheState of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking an experienced and qualified individual for a meaningful role as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Coordinator to work as part of the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System in Bridgeport within Rehabilitation Services. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the Rehabilitation Vocation Counseling Coordinator is responsible for providing coordination/supervision to direct service Vocational Counseling staff who provide recovery oriented, age and developmentally appropriate vocational and educational services to adults with multiple psychiatric disorders including developmental, psychosocial, substance use and trauma histories.

Rehabilitation Services (RS): Rehabilitation Services are integrated throughout all programs and service locations, available to any consumer who is interested in the service. The RS division includes Supported Employment, Supported Education, Life Skills Training, and Peer Support services. Additionally, RS is overseeing the conversion of traditional Case Management and ACT programs to Community Support and Recovery Pathways. These services are provided within the context of partnership, coaching, skill training, social network building, health maintenance, and the provision of assistance to attain an enriched living experience toward individual recovery.

The Southwest CT Mental Health System is determined to transform itself into a person centered/recovery-oriented system of care. This position is vital to this process of transformation. SWCMHS has a large population of Spanish speaking only clients along with significantly psychiatrically impaired clients needing our services which requires a high degree of sensitivity, compassion, and patience. Part of delivering recovery-oriented services includes providing culturally appropriate services.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
• Work Shift: First shift, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Location: 1635 Central Ave., Bridgeport, CT 
• PCN: 83702

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.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

• Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals;
• Provide support to an agency that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve;
• Assist our clients and employees so they can achieve success;
• Make a difference in the public sector; and
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.

MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY:

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.

Start with us! Stay with us! Grow with us!

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.
• 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.

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 Pamela Rochette at Pamela.Rochette@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for supervising and/or coordinating a vocational rehabilitation program or centralized vocational rehabilitation unit for patients/clients.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Plans, establishes, maintains, and evaluates a network of services for clients experiencing difficult and complex vocational adjustment and rehabilitation problems; 
• Identifies appropriate vocational rehabilitation programs both within agency and community and investigates eligibility requirements of such programs; 
• Evaluates potential of handicapped individuals to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services; 
• Assesses vocational rehabilitation needs of clients and develops treatment plans; 
• Monitors implementation of treatment plans; 
• Provides professional counseling services to a caseload of individuals experiencing the most difficult and complex vocational rehabilitation and vocational adjustment problems; 
• Maintains case records on assigned caseload; 
• Prepares reports concerning rehabilitation services rendered; 
• May administer and interpret psychological tests as they pertain to vocational interests and abilities; 
• May provide consultative services to community agencies; 
• May speak before lay and professional groups; 
• Performs related duties as required.

As the working supervisor of a centralized vocational rehabilitation unit of a state agency or institution: 

• Plans, directs, and monitors provision of services to specified groups of clients presenting difficult and complex rehabilitation and vocational adjustment problems; 
• Assigns caseloads to staff; 
• Provides technical assistance and consultation to staff; 
• Reviews work and evaluates performance of staff; 
• Assesses in-service training needs and trains staff; 
• Assesses vocational rehabilitation needs of clients through various methods; 
• Develops vocational rehabilitation treatment plans for and/or with clients and monitors their implementation; 
• Refers clients to institutional and/or community rehabilitation modalities; 
• Follows up on client progress and performance; 
• Supervises maintenance of case records and files; 
• Prepares reports concerning vocational services rendered; 
• May direct vocationally oriented group sessions such as sheltered workshops; 
• May provide individual and group counseling services to a small caseload of individuals experiencing the most difficult and complex vocational rehabilitation and vocational adjustment problems; 
• May coordinate Special Educational and/or individualized educational programs between institution and local public school system; 
• May speak before lay and professional groups; 
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • principles and practices of vocational rehabilitation counseling and interviewing; 
  • vocational rehabilitation process; 
  • relevant state and federal laws and regulations; 
  • psychological and occupational testing; 
  • rehabilitative remedies and treatment; 
  • community resources available to meet rehabilitative needs of individuals; 
  • labor market major occupational groups and their required qualifications; 
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communication skills; 
• Ability to
  • gather, analyze and evaluate significant case information pertinent to rehabilitation of individuals; 
  • prepare reports and maintain files and records; 
• Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of experience in vocational rehabilitation counseling or related fields which involve dealing with problems of individual behavior in relation to vocational adjustment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training 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 four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, vocational guidance, or a related behavioral science may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• For state employees two (2) years of experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Client/Patient) may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with the principles and techniques of vocational rehabilitation counseling and interviewing.
• Experience coordinating and supervising a team of vocational rehabilitation staff.
• Experience finding and utilizing community resources.
• Experience with disability, resulting functional limitation, and medical terminology.
• Experience gathering, analyzing and evaluating information pertinent to the rehabilitation of an individual.
• Experience using innovative thinking and taking initiative in resolving difficult rehabilitation issues with consumers.
• Experience in an outpatient care setting.
• Experience using word and excel computer software.
• Experience using an Electronic Medical Records and report writing.
• Ability to transport clients.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class in the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services may be required to possess a Master's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation or a closely related field.

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.