Recovery Support Specialist Trainee (40 Hour) (Office/On-site)

Recovery Support Specialist Trainee

Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our hospital's team!

The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking an experienced and qualified Recovery Support Specialist Trainee to join their team.

Highlights

Facility: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN)

Address: 95 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury, CT

Unit: Behavioral Health Home

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, first shift, 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday

Position Number: 136252

What's In It For You

• 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;
• We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
• We encourage a strong work/life balance for all state employees.
• We offer opportunities for professional and personal growth.
• We have limitless areas for you to perform relevant and significant work.
• As a loan forgiveness organization, you may be able to qualify for one or more State or Federal loan forgiveness programs.

Discover The Opportunity To

• Provide prompt behavioral health support and intervention, to link clients with acute behavioral health care to community services, and to provide support via the Regional Hotline;
• Utilize client-centered approaches to assist clients in identifying recovery priorities, coaches and provides skill building; and
• Provide outreach, engagement, and interventions as identified through the recovery planning process.

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.

WCMHN was formed in 1996 in order to coordinate clinical, fiscal and administrative oversight of Region 5 contracted and state-operated mental health services. Their 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.

Within this service system, there are three state-operated Local Mental Health Authorities, which are located in Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington. In partnership with WCMHN, they provide and coordinate local clinical services. Over 200 staff including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation and mental health workers provide services for persons with a long-term mental illness. Approximately 7,000 clients receive services in a variety of programs, including peer support programs, recovery services, supported employment, homeless services, residential, crisis services, jail diversion, outpatient, case management, Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTT) and young adult services.

Behavioral Health Home is a healthcare service delivery model focused on the integration of primary care, mental health services, and social services and supports for adults and children diagnosed with mental illness. The Behavioral Health Home model of care uses a multidisciplinary team to deliver person-centered services designed to support a person in coordinating care and services while reaching his or her health and wellness goals. We provide services such as comprehensive care management; care coordination; health promotion; comprehensive transitional care; individual and family support; and referral to community and support services.

Purpose Of Job Class (Nature Of Work)

In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for using shared life experiences and recovery management techniques to engage, motivate, educate, and mentor clients in achieving individualized goals for successful community living.

Examples Of Duties

Guides clients through the process of defining personal goals for clients' recovery plans using existing evidence based workbooks or person centered planning tools; supports and guides clients in following tasks outlined in recovery plan (i.e. pursuing goals related to employment, education, community involvement and the use of natural supports); guides clients in identifying and exercising their rights; participates in rehabilitative and recovery oriented interventions to meet clients' needs and goals; provides information and support to clients and encourages their development of community networks and activities relating to community integration; provides instruction and skill training in recovery management to clients and families; acts as a peer health navigator to engage clients who have or are at risk for co-morbid medical conditions in wellness activities; supports clients to secure information about resources relevant to their wellness; supports clients in obtaining services that meet clients recovery needs; supports clients in dealing with internal and external stress; attends medical/clinical appointments with clients in a peer capacity; accompanies clients as peers on volunteer opportunities and activities; organizes and conducts workshops on topics related to recovery and wellness including New Employee Orientation at the local level; may coach adaptive client behaviors through verbal communication; observes and reports clients' behavior; prepares and submits incident or other related forms; updates clients' notes in the medical record as required; enters computerized data as required; may provide outreach and transportation; performs related duties as required.

Inpatient Settings: In addition to the duties listed above, the duties move from providing one-on-one peer support to teaching coping and community adjustment skills and linking the client with important community resources, and include the following:

• Accompanies clients off the unit and onto the hospital campus or community to practice entering unexpected situations and managing stress and disorientation.
• Accompanies clients on day passes to the community to acclimate the client to their new community.
• May provide coverage at Peer Desk Center to engage and offer peer support to the general hospital population.

Knowledge, Skill And Ability

Knowledge of community support systems and resources; knowledge of person-centered planning, Wellness Recovery Action Planning and other recovery management techniques; some knowledge of the principles and procedures of psychiatric rehabilitation; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to observe and redirect client behavior; ability to utilize computer software.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience

Completion of the Recovery Support Specialist Certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience participating in person-centered recovery planning
• Experience providing recovery-oriented services for adults with mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorders
• Experience participating in the development of risk assessments and risk mitigation planning

Special Requirements

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain Recovery Support Specialist Certification.
2. Incumbents must adhere to the DMHAS Peer Support Ethical Guidelines.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
5. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

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.