Certified Addiction Counselor (40 Hour) (Office/On-Site) - #260129-2351FX-001 in Norwich

Elevate your career as a Certified Addiction Counselor! The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is inviting applications to hire a Certified Addiction Counselor within Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA). We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate professional to join our behavioral health nursing team and enhance the well-being of our patients.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Schedule: Full-Time (40 Hours), First Shift (8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.), Monday - Friday
• Unit: Wellness Recovery Advocacy Program (WRAP)
• Address: 401 West Thames Street, Unit 301, Norwich, CT
• PCN: 26116

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU: State employee benefits, professional growth and development opportunities, and a healthy work/life balance.

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

• Join a dedicated team that values collaboration, respect, and a shared commitment to wellness
• Provide critical care that supports clients on their journey to recovery and self-sufficiency
• Contribute to the community and public sector through Certified Addiction Counselor expertise

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.

ABOUT THE FACILITY: SMHA is a community mental health agency operated by DMHAS. Its primary goal is to provide high quality behavioral health services to those in our community with mental health and substance use disorders who are 18 years or older and reside in New London County and its surrounding towns. Services include case management, outpatient behavioral health, crisis intervention, respite care, and forensic services; these are recovery oriented and offered in a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive manner. We support individuals to identify and achieve their own goals in recovery, fostering independence, dignity, and ability.

A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, is 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.
• Educational Credits: List earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process.
• Timely Submission: All materials must be received by the posting deadline.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs) that must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date.
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training align with the role.

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.

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.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with physical, psychological, social, family and economic effects of substance abuse; experience using counseling principles and techniques; experience with community resources; experience working with clients using confidentiality provisions; experience working with clients who are pre-contemplative and contemplative in their recovery; experience utilizing interpersonal and written communication skills; experience working in a collaborative team that supports each other.

Special Requirements: Incumbents must retain the certification and/or licensure outlined above. Individuals recovering from addiction to alcohol or drugs must have two (2) years of substance-free time to be considered for a position in a substance abuse program.

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

Working Conditions: Incumbents may be required to perform moderate lifting or restraining of patients and be exposed to communicable and/or infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive patients.

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.