Occupational Therapist (40 Hour)

Introduction
Are you an Occupational Therapist looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the public sector? If so, read below and apply today!
ABOUT US
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.
THE POSITION:
We are currently recruiting for a first shift Occupational Therapist to help support our team within Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System ( SWCMHS ) in Bridgeport.
POSITION SPECIFICS:

• Schedule: Full-Time (40 Hour), Monday - Friday, First Shift (8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.)
• Facility : Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center ( GBCMHC )
• Unit:Young Adult Services (YAS)
• Address: 1635 Central Avenue, Bridgeport
• Position Control Number:139950

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

• 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;
• A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation's best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown's Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings ;
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
• Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
• Professional growth and development opportunities;
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees; and

• State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

• Provide assessment, planning, instruction, demonstration, and application of professional Occupational Therapy interventions to clients with severe and persistent mental illness complicated by substance use, complex medical presentations and legal issues ;
• Develop relationships with community providers and utilize community resources in order to effectively provide input in the discharge planning process;
• Provide individual and group instructions to young adults in occupational therapy activities;
• Coordinate occupational therapy services with other professional clinical disciplines;
• Escort individuals on trips into community and perform duties in individuals' home or community settings;
• May act as a consultant, advisor or resource person to other staff, programs or units;
• Provide supervision and support for student internships programs such as OTR, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Therapeutic Recreational and Art Therapy; and
• Maintains records and prepares reports on individuals care and administrative matters.

OUR MISSION:
The vision of the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System is to provide high quality, compassionate and culturally competent mental health and substance abuse services to adults with behavioral health disorders who are indigent.
ABOUT THE UNIT:
The Young Adult Services (YAS) program is designed to provide age appropriate, clinical and residential support services to young adults with behavioral health disorders between the ages of 18-25, providing intensive recovery-orientedservices that take into account developmental processes, the impact of traumas, and family issues. YAS provides a wide range of services including clinical, employment, educational and rehabilitative support. YAS is designed to prevent these consumers from being "lifelong members" of the mental health service systems. Persons referred for services come through the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System Community Outreach and Engagement Service or through the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Office of the Commissioner's central referral process. In both instances, these are usually youth who have been in residential treatment through the Department of Children and Families, in foster care, and/or in the juvenile justice system.
Start with us. Stay with us. Grow with us.
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
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.
• 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.

Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, 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.
• 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 Nicole Frascatore via email at Nicole.Frascatore@ct.gov .

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a state facility this class is accountable for providing professional occupational therapy services.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
CLINICAL:

• Selects, plans, administers and implements occupational therapy programs for training of individuals with physical disabilities and/or an intellectual disability;
• Administers individual and group instructions to individuals in various occupational therapies including but not limited to activities of daily living, independent living skills, sensorimotor skills and performance components, psychosocial skill and performance components, therapeutic adaptations and specialized assessments;
• Determines and carries out treatment and activities for individuals consistent with physician prescription;
• Assesses individuals educational needs;
• Organizes new projects and methods;
• Serves as a member of the treatment team;
• Consults with supervisor, physicians and other professionals regarding individual reactions, progress and treatment plans;
• Recommends changes in individuals treatment;
• Participates in training programs for professional and paraprofessional staff and students/interns gaining clinical experience;
• Attends and participates in workshops and conferences;
• Instructs and demonstrates to individuals and parents treatments to be carried on in a treatment center and at home;
• Makes adaptive equipment;
• Maintains records and prepares reports on individuals care and administrative matters;
• Coordinates occupational therapy services with other disciplines such as physical, speech and rehabilitative therapies;
• Orders, requisitions and distributes supplies and materials;
• Coordinates efforts of volunteers;
• May escort individuals on trips into community;
• May perform duties in individuals home or community settings;
• May act as supervisor in their absence;
• May act as a consultant, advisor or resource person to other staff, programs or units;
• May attend conferences, individuals study meetings and clinics;
• May maintain inventory;
• May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP);
• Performs related duties as required.

CONSULTING:

• Provides consultative services to public and private agencies in an assigned region of state or on a statewide basis with emphasis on pediatrics;
• Instructs professionals, paraprofessionals, individuals and family members in appropriate way to carry out therapeutic program and encourages self-care at home;
• Develops, supervises and operates therapeutic clinics or programs in an assigned area of state;
• Assists in development of educational materials and procedural manuals;
• Assists in evaluation of services and procedures being purchased by state or being rendered by state run facilities;
• Prepares and presents educational material for in-service training programs;
• Assists in recruitment and orientation of professional staff;
• Prepares growth and development tests;
• Assists in planning and participates in special research studies;
• Prepares reports of activities and maintains individuals records;
• May provide direct service to individuals;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
CLINICAL:

• Considerable knowledge of
  • principles and practices of occupational therapy;
  • anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, neurology, neuroanatomy and individual and group dynamics as applied to occupational therapy;
  • adaptive equipment and its proper application;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Skill in application of occupational therapy techniques;
• Ability to
  • gain interest, cooperation and confidence of individuals;
  • utilize computer software.

CONSULTING:

• Considerable knowledge of
  • principles and practices of occupational therapy with emphasis on pediatrics;
  • adaptive equipment and its proper application;
• Knowledge of
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • concepts and practices of public health;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain licensure as an Occupational Therapist issued by the Connecticut State Department of Public Health in accordance with the applicable Connecticut General Statutes.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with young adults in a community-based outpatient setting.
• Experience working with individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.
• Experience working independently in communities supporting clients andaffiliated agencies.
• Experience with the principles and practices of occupational therapy, individual and group dynamics, the use of adaptive equipment and its proper application.
• Experience utilizing occupational therapy techniques.
• Experience communicating using interpersonal skills and oral and written communication skills with the ability to gain interest, cooperation, and confidence of young adult individuals.
• Experience using computer software and email.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• 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 designated positions.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents in this class may be exposed to danger of injury and to moderately disagr...