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 Connecticu t , Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services ( DMHAS ) is currently seeking a qualified and experienced individual for the position of Mental Health Associate to join our dedicated Transitional Residence Program (TRP) team.

Position Highlights:

FACILITY

Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)

UNIT:

Transitional Residence Program (TRP)

LOCATION

Bridgeport, CT

SCHEDULE

Full-time (40 hours), 3rd Shift, Monday - Friday 12:00am - 8:30am, Every Other Weekend, Rotating Holidays and On-Call Coverage

POSITION NUMBER

142453

What We Can Offer You:

Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! Professional growth and development opportunities. A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Discover The Opportunity To:

Engage in a rewarding career; Showcase your talents in a meaningful role; Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do.

The Role:

The Transitional Residential Program (TRP) Mental Health Associate provides direct, hands-on supervision and support to clients and staff in a 24-hour residential treatment program. This 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. Jo b duties include but are not limited to: 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.

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. Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS) is responsible for the oversight and management of contracts with private not-for-profit agencies and residential providers providing mental health services in the southwest region of the state. With locations in Bridgeport and Stamford, SWCMHS provides inpatient, outpatient and assertive community treatment (ACT) services and community support services for adults with severe behavioral health disabilities; mental health services for people who are deaf or hearing impaired and a mobile crisis intervention team. SWCMHS also provides outreach to people who are homeless and mentally ill. Special agency programs include Shelter Plus Care, a housing program for people who are homeless and who have a history of substance abuse or mental illness or who have AIDS. Transitional Residence Program (TRP) provides short-term housing for homeless individuals, incorporating rehabilitative programming for up to 12 consumers. TRP is an open residential program that provides supported living services, including medication monitoring, 24 hours a day until the consumer is ready for community re-entry. TRP also provides skill building groups, outings in the community, visiting hours for family and friends, three meals a day, and laundry facilities. TRP staff work collaboratively with all services within the Community Services Division to support individuals to successfully transition back to community living.

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

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Meet Minimum Qualifications:

Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

Educational Credits:

List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, 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 contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.

Resume Policy:

Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position.

This documentation may include:

a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.

Preferred Shift/Location:

Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.

Timely Submission:

All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing

DAS.SHRM

@ct.gov.

Salary Calculations :

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.

Note :

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.

AFTER YOU APPLY

Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."

Referral Questions:

This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

Prepare For An Interview:

Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks. The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Note :

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics. This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS?

WE'RE

HERE TO HELP

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Julie Barker at Julie.

Barker@ct.gov. Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS

(NATURE OF WORK) In a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, community behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for the administration of a designated number of wards or units or a major clinical training program for mental health assistants. In outpatient divisions and community programs or clinics this class is accountable for the direct supervision of mental health assistants and/or independently performing a full range of advanced para-professional functions in case management and crisis intervention services or the administration of a complex program component.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Provide culturally responsive, recovery-oriented services to adults requiring intensive supervision in a structured residential treatment environment.

• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory standards, including Joint Commission requirements, CMS regulations, DPH licensing standards, and

DMHAS/SWCMHS

policies related to the environment of care, safety, quality improvement, and service delivery.

• Apply principles of psychiatric rehabilitation, case management, and adult development to support client recovery and community integration.
• Utilize evidence-informed practices, including Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT), Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, and person-centered recovery planning.
• 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.
• Support clients in developing activities of daily living (ADLs) and independent living skills, including personal hygiene, grooming, budgeting, meal preparation, medication-related skills, housekeeping, maintaining personal living spaces, and successful community 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.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary treatment teams, healthcare providers, families (as appropriate), and community agencies to ensure coordinated, continuous, and person-centered care.
• 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.
• Supervise, train, coach, and evaluate assigned direct care staff to ensure quality service delivery, regulatory compliance, and adherence to agency standards.
• 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.
• Performs related duties.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience at the level of a Mental Health Assistant 2, Licensed Practical Nurse or its equivalent in a psychiatric setting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents may be required to lift and restrain clients; may have significant exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury; may be exposed to strongly disagreeable conditions.