Clinical Services Assistant - The Ridge Recovery Center

hhccareers; Windham (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental benefits

401(k) plan with employer match

Generous paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Rushford Center, part of Hartford HealthCare, is seeking a qualified Behavioral Health Specialist to support adults with mental health and/or substance use issues. Under supervision of licensed clinicians, you will help co‑lead therapy groups, perform case management, and contribute to treatment planning to improve client outcomes.

The role requires relevant education, experience in behavioral health, and sometimes bilingual Spanish/English for the Latino program.

Qualifications

• Associates in Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counseling, Human Services, or related field.
• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field is preferred.
• Two years of experience in a behavioral health or substance abuse setting is preferred.
• Knowledge of Alcoholics (or Narcotics) Anonymous 12‑Step Program is preferred.
• Valid driver's license.
• Valid CPR, CPI & First Aid training certifications are preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) required for Latino Program only.

Responsibilities

• Co‑lead therapy groups and perform assigned case management activities to support client outcomes.
• Provide basic counseling to help reduce client anxiety and ensure continuity of care.
• Prepare for and facilitate psychoeducational group sessions, social skill building, and other therapeutic activities.
• Implements established behavioral management plans and supports adherence to the plan.
• Monitor safety checks, intakes, collateral contacts, and documentation per policy.
• Monitor medication self‑administration and assist with medication management tasks.
• Document client/family responses and contribute to Treatment Plan revisions with the Treatment Team.
• Utilize community resources and make referrals for continuing care post discharge.
• Assist with transportation arrangements to attend program activities.
• Participate in treatment conferences, staff meetings, and in‑service trainings.

Skills

Bilingual (Spanish/English)

CPR/First Aid training

Valid driver's license

Education

Associates degree in Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counseling or related field

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or Psychology (preferred)

Job description

Work where every moment matters. Every day, more than 40,000 Hartford HealthCare colleagues come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut’s most comprehensive healthcare network.

Rushford Center, one of Connecticut’s leading providers of addiction and mental health services, is nationally recognized for delivering outstanding prevention, treatment and recovery programs. We offer a wide range of programs including Acute Care and Evaluation, Residential Addiction Treatment, Individual, Group & Family Therapy, Intensive Outpatient programs and Community Support Programs. Through the passion of our specialists, we continue to treat every patient with care, compassion and respect, while providing affordable and accessible services.

Job Summary

Assists clinician(s) in providing coordinated services & case management for adult clients with mental health and/or substance abuse issues. All employees in this position are considered “Essential Employees” and may be required to provide mandated shift coverage for programming needs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provides direct care, under the supervision of a licensed/credentialed clinician, by co‑leading therapy groups and performing assigned case management activities to assist in achieving established client outcomes. Provides basic counseling to help decrease the client’s anxiety and to assure continuity of care. Prepares for and facilitates psychoeducational group sessions, social skill building, community meetings, and other therapeutic activities.
2. Implements established behavioral management plans for a program or for individual clients. Supports client’s agreement with and adherence to the plan, implements rewards and consequences, and provides appropriate counseling support to patients/families to meet established goals of the plan.
3. Performs required safety checks as per the established cadence of the program. Monitors activities on the floor, conduct intakes and patient belongings searches, and dispose of Potentially Dangerous Items (PDI) per protocols.
4. Monitors medication self‑administration, assists clients with medication management; maintains appropriate paperwork per policy; transcribes medications per policy; maintains medication counts, including controlled substances; obtains vital signs; consults with nursing and medical staff as needed.
5. Observes clients and communicates to the Treatment Team (clinician, medical team, supervisors, nursing team) as to the effectiveness of the Treatment Plan. Documents client/family responses as well as that of collateral contacts. Identifies variances and contributes suggestions to the revision of the Treatment Plan as needed. Initiates further interventions as determined by the Treatment Team.
6. Utilizes community resources and makes appropriate referrals in support of client’s Treatment Plan and the continuing care plans post discharge.
7. Assists with transportation arrangements, as approved by the Program Manager, for clients to attend program and meet aspects of their Treatment Plan that can’t be met on site.
8. Connects with area resources through service, health, and employment agencies, professional groups, committees, and consortiums to acquire comprehensive knowledge of services available for clients. Participates in treatment conferences, staff meetings, and in‑service training to support the provision of high quality client care.
9. Performs other related duties as required.

• Associates in Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counseling (DARC), Human Services, or related field
• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field is preferred
• Two (2) years of experience in a behavioral health or substance abuse setting is preferred
• Knowledge of Alcoholics (or Narcotics) Anonymous 12‑Step Program is preferred
• Valid driver's license
• Valid CPR, Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) & First Aid training certifications are preferred
• Bilingual (Spanish/English required (for Latino Program only)

As a Hartford HealthCare entity, Rushford provides eligible employees with an extensive benefits package consisting of:

• Medical and dental benefits
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off with accrual starting on the date of hire, including seven paid holidays
• Additional voluntary benefits as well as employee discount programs

With locations around the state, Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth. Here, you are part of an organization on the cutting edge – helping to bring new technologies, breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men, women and children. We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees- we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure work/life balance. Every moment matters. And this isyour moment.