Health Program Assistant 1 (40 Hour) (Office/On-site) - #230307-4404FP-001

Health Program Assistant 1

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), seeks a qualified individual for the anticipated position of Health Program Assistant 1.

Location: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN)

Unit: Behavioral Health Home Unit

Address: 55 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT

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

Position Number: 135746

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:

• Develop and assist with implementation of all phases of infection control/prevention;
• Develop and assist with the implementation of all phases of pandemic preparedness including screening processes for staff, clients and visitors;
• Investigate, analyze and evaluate infections in staff, clients and visitors;
• Review potential infection threats in surrounding cities and states; and
• Participate in the development of policies and procedures involving infection prevention/control.

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. We promote and administer comprehensive, recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment throughout Connecticut.

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; referral to community and support services.

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work)

In a state health program or project this class is accountable for assisting in the compilation and interpretation of fiscal and programmatic data and statistics, development and implementation of program plans, grant management and monitoring.

Examples of Duties

Subject duties vary considerably depending on nature of program and current stage in its life cycle; typical examples of duties performed at this level include: assists in preparation of sections of state health plans; gathers fiscal, programmatic, census or other kinds of needed data from federal, state and other sources; compiles statistics and may do some less complex calculations and interpretations; assists in reviews of program grant requests and monitors fiscal and programmatic performance of grants using agency regulations and guidelines; assists in preparation of program objectives and evaluation of program results; may serve a task force or committee; may answer general informational questions for the public and prepare information for distribution; may serve as a liaison between program or project and specific people or organizations for purpose of keeping information flowing; may assist in epidemiologic investigations; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

Knowledge of purposes, plans, objectives and programs of public health agencies including changing patterns of preventive medicine and environmental health; knowledge of state and community organizations and programs involved in health field; considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to conduct independent research, develop and gather data.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience

Five (5) years of experience in a professional capacity in a health organization. A health organization is defined as a large multi-dimensional agency with responsibility for administering health programs.

Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed

1. 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.
2. A Master's degree in public health, health education, hospital administration or public administration or other closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience.
3. For State Employees one (1) year as a Health Services Worker and a Bachelor's degree or three (3) years as a Health Services Worker may be substituted for the General Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Abuse and Neglect Reporting, Notification and Follow-up to Immediate Protective Service Plans
• Experience in a hospital or congregate care setting
• Experience utilizing computer software such as Excel spreadsheets
• Experience developing, troubleshooting, and maintaining Access databases
• Experience managing, analyzing, and presenting data
• Experience gathering and generating healthcare data and billing reports
• Experience communicating in person, orally, and in writing

Special Requirements

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.