Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation) (35 Hour) at The Department of Children and Families in Norwich, Connecticut

Job Description:

Introduction

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 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.

We, at the Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA) are currently recruiting for a Therapeutic Recreation, Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (PCN 26214), to work with our Brief Care program, located at 401 West Thames Street in Norwich. Our team is passionate about the work we do for our clients! This position is first shift, full time, 35 hours per week. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 3:30pm, with weekends and holidays off.

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

• Engage in a rewarding career


• Provide support to a division that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve


• Assist our clients so they can achieve success


• Make a difference in the public sector


• Work together in a collaborative team environment

The Brief Care Program is an open, 15-bed, subacute residential program. It is a voluntary program for clients who are in need of stabilization but who don't meet the criteria for a psychiatric hospitalization. The program offers a full treatment team including an APRN, nurses, social workers, and mental health workers. Staff is on site 24 hours a day and hold weekly treatment team meetings to discuss progress, barriers, and discharge planning.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:

• Plan a monthly schedule of events, such as: cooking, volunteering, gardening, budgeting, crafts, swimming and leisure awareness


• Collect Data to assess growth and develop new goals and activities


• Transport clients to and from activities and appointments


• Serve as a professional staff member on duty, supervising Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant 2, Mental Health Assistant 2, and Licensed Practical Nurses

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has permanent state status* and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period. For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. 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.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position. Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

As a reminder:

• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.


• Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.


• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses.


• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.


• Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

For more information, we encourage you to contact the recruiter for this position, Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov, (860) 924-7053.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state facility this class is accountable for the planning, administration, implementation and evaluation of professional therapy programs in a recognized therapeutic discipline for persons with physical, mental and emotional disabilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Selects, plans, administers and implements a therapeutic program by utilizing a specific therapy function to teach skills to correct disorders in mental, emotional or motor status of a client and/or patient; writes and implements treatment plans; plans, schedules and conducts individual and group activities; actively participates in admission, treatment and discharge planning of a client and/or patient; participates in interdisciplinary team meetings presenting cases and discussing future treatment goals and objectives for a client and/or patient; participates in institutional, professional and community groups and/or task forces; participates in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary committees; trains and supervises staff and clients in application of a specific discipline; provides inservice training to other staff; attends and participates in workshops and conferences; gathers and uses data from observation and diagnostic tests to develop goals and new activities; coordinates therapy services with other disciplines such as occupational or physical therapy; selects appropriate materials and implements a therapeutic program to meet needs of client and/or patient; maintains and orders equipment; observes, records and evaluates client and/or patient progress; may transport and escort clients and/or patients to community functions; may teach direct care and paraprofessional staff in application of a specific therapy; may make adaptive equipment; may serve as a QualifiedIntellectual DisabilitiesProfessional; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of a designated therapeutic discipline; knowledge of physical, mental and psychosocial disorders; knowledge of individual and group dynamics; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; skill in evaluating client needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of professional experience in the appropriate professional rehabilitation therapy program specialty performing such activities as program evaluation, planning and application for persons with mental, emotional and physical disabilities.
Note: For state employees this will be interpreted as one (1) year of experience at the level of Rehabilitation Therapist 1 or its equivalent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in the appropriate recognized therapeutic discipline indicated by the parenthetical title 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Our ideal candidate will have experience:

• Providing treatment services and recreationalactivities to individuals with serious & persistent mental illness and co-occurringdisorders


• Working in a behavioral health inpatient setting


• Assessingand determining the appropriateness of an activity to client's abilities and treatment goals, treatment planning and working with collaborative interdisciplinary treatment teams

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (W.S.I.), and/or life saving (CPR, First Aid) from the American Red Cross.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain positions.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury and moderately disagreeable conditions while providing treatment to clients/ patients.

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.

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