Certified Addiction Counselor (32 Hour)(Office/On-site)

Introduction

Are you a seeking an opportunity to make a significant impact?

Join our dynamic team and play a pivotal role in making lasting, positive changes throughout communities across Connecticut!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) is currently recruiting for multiple Certified Addiction Counselors within the Addiction Services Division. The positions are part time 32 hours per week on either first or second shift, with weekend coverage. 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) Addiction Services Division (ASD)
• LOCATION: 1000 Silver Street, Middletown, CT 06457 or 500 Vine Street, Hartford, CT 06112
• SCHEDULE: Part time | 32 hours per week - More information can be seen in the chart below:

PCN 

LOCATION DESCRIPTION

FUNCTIONAL UNIT 

SHIFT

SCHEDULE

LOCATION

136841

Screening

Addiction Services

Second 

Rotating every other weekend from 12:00pm - 8:30pm
Week 1: Work Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday
Week 2: Work Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Middletown

114579

Blue Hills * Hartford 

Rehab

First

8:00am - 4:30pm Wednesday - Saturday 

Hartford

136834

Screening

Addiction Services

First

Rotating every other weekend from 8:00am - 4:30pm
Week 1: Work Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Week 2: Work Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday

Middletown

139980

Merritt 3AB

Rehab 

Second

1:30pm - 10:00pm Sunday - Wednesday

Middletown

139981

Merritt 2DE

Rehab 

Second

1:30pm - 10:00pm Sunday - Wednesday

Middletown

136836

Merritt 2DE

Rehab 

First

8:00am - 4:30pm Sunday - Wednesday

Middletown

76787

Merritt 2AB

Rehab

Second

1:30pm - 10:00pm Sunday - Wednesday

Middletown

LEARN MORE ABOUT US

• Screening and Admissions Unit: Admission to the Addiction Services Division (ASD) is facilitated through a Screening and Admissions Unit which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Admissions are referred from a wide variety of sources, including self-referrals, community addiction and mental health services agencies, hospitals, various court diversion programs, and transfers from within ASD or other CVH divisions. The appropriate level of care is determined by ASAM criteria. Both the Withdrawal Management and Rehabilitation services represent the most intensive levels of care represented in the ASAM levels of care. Clients are screened to determine the most appropriate level of care and are scheduled for admission. Upon admission clients complete a nursing assessment, psychiatric assessment, medical exam, and biopsychosocial assessment on the Screening and Admissions Unit prior to being oriented to their assigned Unit.  
• Merritt 2AB is a 30-bed Residential Rehabilitation Program (ASAM level of care 3.7R) for adult men and women that offers structured and safe environment for persons in early stages of recovery. Program offers treatment for clients with co-occurring disorders and provides effective combination of medical, psychiatric and counseling services to address clients’ individual needs based on their readiness to change. Program specializes in trauma informed/ gender responsive care and utilizes variety of evidence based clinical approaches and treatment modalities to provide holistic care. Clients are offered at a minimum 30 hours of treatment each week including individual, group and family counseling, gender specific groups, recovery education, wellness therapies,12 step meetings and full range of Medication Assisted Treatment. The length of stay varies and is based on clients’ individual needs. Upon completion of treatment each client is connected to aftercare services either in residential or outpatient setting based on individual needs and preferences. 
• Merritt 2DE (STAR Program) is a 30-bed Women Residential Rehabilitation Program (ASAM level of care 3.7R) that offers structured and safe environment for women in early stages of recovery. Program offers variety of evidenced based clinical approaches designed specifically to work with women with co-occurring disorders and history of trauma. Women are offered at a minimum 30 hours of treatment each week including individual, group and family counseling, trauma therapy, recovery education, wellness therapies, peer support services, 12 step meetings and full range of Medication Assisted Treatment. The length of stay varies and is based on clients’ individual needs. Upon completion of treatment each woman is connected to aftercare services either in residential or outpatient setting based on individual needs and preferences.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU *Benefits are pro-rated for part time positions.

• Visit our newState Employee Benefits Overview page!
• The opportunity 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
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO

• Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals;
• Provide support to an agency that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve;
• Assist our clients and employees so they can achieve success;
• Make a difference in the public sector; and
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.

OUR MISSION

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.

START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Please reador watchour Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

Please Note: 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.

TO APPLY

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
• In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, 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 recruiter listed on this job posting.
• 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.
• In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

AFTER YOU APPLY 

• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email and/or phone, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 
• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• NOTE: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
• 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 which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

CONNECT WITH US 

• Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
• Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Pamela Rochette at Pamela.Rochette@ct.gov. 

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Veterans' Affairs this class is accountable for providing specialized counseling services to clients in a behavioral health treatment program.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Provides counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients; 
• Screens clients to determine eligibility for programs; 
• Assesses strengths, weaknesses and treatment needs; 
• Orients clients to treatment program; 
• Participates in treatment planning and individual and/or group counseling; 
• Responsible for case management activities; 
• Provides crisis intervention services in response to emotional and/or physical distress; 
• Makes referrals to outside or other programs for medical and/or psychological intervention; 
• Maintains confidential reports and records of client data; 
• Represents program at community events and seminars; 
• Educates clients on substance abuse issues and availability of resources; 
• Consults with service providers to assure comprehensive integrated care; 
• May escort clients; 
• May provide coverage duties; 
• May collect urine for drug screening; 
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse; 
  • counseling principles and techniques; 
  • community resources; 
  • confidentiality provisions; 
  • infectious diseases; 
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communication skills; 
• Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information pertinent to treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of an individual.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Certification from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor and three (3) years of experience involving risk reduction education and counseling to assist alcohol and drug dependent individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• Licensure from the Connecticut Department of Public Health as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor may be substituted for the General Experience.
• For state employees three (3) years of experience as a Certified Addiction Counselor Trainee may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Counseling Services to alcohol and drug dependent clients. 
• Experience facilitating group counseling services to alcohol and drug dependent clients.
• Experience with other Agency service providers and community outreach.
• Experience with case management activities.                               
• Experience with discharge planning.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above.
• Individuals recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs are required to have two (2) years of substance free time to be considered for a position in a substance abuse program.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to speak a foreign language or be fluent in American Sign Language.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid driver's license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

A medical and/or psychiatric examination may be required prior to appointment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to perform moderate amounts of lifting or restraining of patients and exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive 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.

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.