Clinical Social Worker (40 Hour)

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 a qualified and experienced individual for the position of Clinical Social Workerto join our team.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• FACILITY: Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS)
• TEAM: Forensic Team
• ADDRESS: Bridgeport, CT
• SCHEDULE: Full-time, 40 hours, 1st Shift, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
• POSITION NUMBER: 155477

WHY THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Enjoy endless opportunities forprofessional growth and development
• Embrace a healthy work/life balance tailored to all employees

THE ROLE

The SWCMHS Regional forensic services play a pivotal role in the agency's mission. The department provides services that are statutorily mandated and provide services that allow individuals to live safely in the community with services and support.


This position provides court, office and community-based work to any individual with criminal justice system involvement, which includes the provision of services to patients involved with the CT Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB), and 54-56D patients who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial by the judicial system due to mental health issues and are referred to receive outpatient restoration to competency treatment in the community.

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.

MORE ABOUT THE FACILITY:

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.


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 View email address on click.appcast.io.
• 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

• 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 View email address on click.appcast.io.


Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency behavioral health program as part of a multi-disciplinary team at one or more locations this class is accountable for independently providing clinical social work services.


OFFICE OF HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE: This class is accountable for serving as a case manager and advocate for clients that have received or need to receive behavioral health care services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• As a member of multi-disciplinary clinical team or within a network of community-based behavioral health services develops psychosocial assessments through clinical interviews with assigned clients and families which include consideration of developmental, social and/or cultural, substance abuse, psychological, environmental and medical issues;
• Develops treatment plans including measurable treatment objectives;
• Provides clinical treatment services in the form of triage, crisis intervention, individual, group and/or family therapy, screening and planning;
• Advocates and develops networks of social and clinical services to assist clients in meeting identified needs;
• Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of treatment plans and documents treatment in clinical records;
• Completes reports in accordance with agency and accrediting bodies;
• Provides clinical supervision to Licensed Master Social Workers;
• Consults and collaborates with other behavioral health providers to improve delivery of services to clients;
• Provides forensic evaluations and court testimony as required;
• Maintains social work treatment and standards as required;
• May participate in research projects;
• Performs related duties as required.

OFFICE OF HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE

• Manages a caseload of consumer behavioral healthcare insurance complaints concerning coverage and/or payment;
• Reviews and assesses medical records including psychological assessment and treatment plans, concerning but not limited to mental, emotional, behavioral and addictive disorders to determine appropriate treatment plans and eligibility for insurance benefit payment;
• Participates in insurance appeal hearings and serves as clinical expert to defend and demonstrate that the diagnostic assessment and treatment plans are appropriate and required to address client behavioral healthcare needs;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • social work methodology, casework, group work and community mobilization;
  • family and interpersonal relationship dynamics;
  • values, sanctions, purposes and ethics of professional social work;
  • social, cultural, economic, medical, psychological and legal issues which influence attitudes and behaviors of clients and families;
  • mental illnesses and approaches to treatment;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • devise and implement a treatment plan with measurable goals that address client needs;
  • independently apply current psychiatric treatment modalities to address client needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS


Licensure as a clinical social worker in the State of Connecticut.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience conducting clinical assessments and developing treatment plans tailored to individual needs.
• Experience applying de-escalation techniques during crisis intervention.
• Experience delivering formal presentations or providing testimony in hearings, including those related to forensic or clinical matters.
• Experience using ethical considerations in clinical practice, including confidentiality and informed consent.
• Experience using community resources and managed care systems to support clients effectively.
• Experience with mental health disorders, substance use issues, and trauma-informed care of forensically involved individuals.
• Experience collaborating with community providers, local hospitals, police departments, and outpatient clinical teams.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice clinical social work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (m-z) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
• Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. § 1320a-7b(f).
• Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in certain designated positions.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in certain designated positions.
• 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.

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.