Mental Health Assistant 1 (40 Hour) (Multiple Opportunities - Office/On-site)

CT; Bridgeport (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional growth opportunities

Healthy work-life balance

Job summary

Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System in Bridgeport, CT is hiring a Mental Health Assistant 1 for full‑time, 40 hours per week across first, second or third shifts. You’ll join a dedicated treatment team to deliver structured, hospital‑level care to individuals with behavioral health needs and help them progress toward recovery.

The position emphasizes collaboration, safety and compassionate support, with emphasis on care continuity, crisis response and interdisciplinary teamwork.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of acceptable standards of nursing care.
• Psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles and procedures.
• Community support systems and resources.
• Considerable interpersonal skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Counseling skills.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• One year of experience at the Mental Health Trainee level.
• Associate's degree in mental health technology may substitute for the General Experience.
• Two years of college training in a behavioral science may substitute for the General Experience.
• One year of Recovery Support Specialist experience may substitute for the General Experience.
• Completion of a Mental Health Trainee certificate program may substitute for one-half year of General Experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide treatment for severely and acutely ill psychiatric patients in structured hospital care.
• Work with a treatment team to develop goals for stabilization, rehabilitation and recovery.
• Assist patients in regaining functioning to transition to less restrictive environments.
• Provide continuity and coordination of patient care.
• Collaborate with unit staff to respond to patient care needs.
• Ensure a safe and therapeutic milieu within a psychiatric program.
• Establish therapeutic relationships and respond to crises.
• Assist with transferring patients from bed to chair, commode, and ambulation as needed.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high‑quality mental health care.

Skills

Nursing care knowledge

Psychiatric rehab/case management

Community resources

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication

Counseling

Instruction following

Education

General experience substitution — Mental Health Trainee level

Associate's degree in mental health technology substitution

Two years of college in behavioral science substitution

Recovery Support Specialist experience substitution

Mental health trainee certificate program substitution

Job description

Introduction

Are you passionate about supporting individuals on their journey to recovery from behavioral health or substance use challenges? Have you gained expertise in engaging individuals with compassion and empathy?

The Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System, under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a qualified individual to join our team as Mental Health Assistant 1's in Bridgeport. These dedicated and compassionate individuals will be a vital part of our direct-care team and improve the well‑being for our clients and patients.

Position Highlights:

• Units: Any unit within the Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center
• Work Hours: Full‑time, 40 hours per week
• Work Shift: First, Second and Third Shift Opportunities
• Location: 1635 Central Ave, Bridgeport, CT

Note: These positions can be assigned to any unit, work schedule or shift.

Permanent DMHAS employees in the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 should not apply; transfers within DMHAS will be handled through the agency lateral transfer process.

Candidates hired from this posting may be initially provided with a temporary assignment; the permanent assignment will be determined within the first six months of employment.

What we can offer you:

• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

What you'll be doing:

• Provide treatment for severely and acutely ill psychiatric patients who require a safe, supportive, highly structured hospital level of care.
• Work with a treatment team that develops goals to assist patients to stabilize, rehabilitate, and establish and focus on their recovery goals.
• Assist patients in regaining a level of functioning that will allow them to transition to a less restrictive environment and to return to community‑based living.
• Provide continuity and coordination of patient care.
• Collaborate with unit staff and be responsive to patient care needs.
• Ensure a safe and therapeutic milieu within a psychiatric treatment program.
• Establish therapeutic relationships.
• Respond to and deescalate patients in crisis.
• Support and assist patients with transferring from bed to chair, commode, and ambulation as needed to maintain safety and prevent falls.
• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of providers, and other patient natural supports to ensure patients receive the highest quality of mental health care.

Salary Details:

The salary upon successful completion is: $60,497* - $81,483 Yearly (*New State Employees Start at Minimum)

More About the Agency and Facilities:

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 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. Start with us! Stay with us! Grow with us!

Please note:

• A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be 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

Permanent DMHAS employees in the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 should not apply; transfers within DMHAS will be handled through the agency lateral transfer process.

Candidates hired from this posting may be initially provided with a temporary assignment; the permanent assignment will be determined within the first six months of employment.

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work)

In a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital, behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for assisting in the assessment, planning and implementation of paraprofessional nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions designed to support clients' short and/or long‑term needs.

Examples of Duties

• Participates in assigned nursing, clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions to meet client short and long‑term needs;
• Advocates for services or resources that meet client needs and preferences;
• Assists client in developing effective strategies for managing internal and external stress;
• Routinely solicits personal goals and preferences;
• Identifies and facilitates use of appropriate support networks;
• Participates in education and training activities to further skill development;
• Participates in admission and discharge planning activities;
• Protects civil rights of client;
• Maintains a safe and healthy environment;
• May manage client behaviors through verbal communication as needed;
• Performs related duties as required.

Community or Outpatient Programs:

• Functions as a member of a case management team or program;
• Participates in assessment, crisis intervention and monitoring of clients in community at large (i.e., emergency rooms, jails, homeless shelters, outpatient programs, etc.);
• Assists client in learning and practicing daily living skills, medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills;
• Provides individual, group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision.

Inpatient Ward or Unit:

• Communicates and interacts with clients;
• Participates in development of nursing care and treatment plans;
• Encourages client to participate in therapeutic activities;
• Observes and records client behavior and prepares pertinent reports;
• Participates in on‑going education and training programs;
• May participate in follow up of client in community‑based services;
• May supervise self‑administration of oral medication.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Knowledge of acceptable standards of nursing care;
• psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles and procedures;
• community support systems and resources;
• Considerable interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• counseling skills;
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience

One (1) year of experience at the level of a Mental Health Trainee.

Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed

• An Associate's degree in mental health technology may be substituted for the General Experience.
• Two (2) years of college training in a behavioral science, social work, rehabilitation therapy or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience.
• One (1) year of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist providing peer support to agency clients may be substituted for the General Experience.
• Completion of a mental health trainee certificate program may be substituted for one-half (1/2) year of the General Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a clinical setting and providing verbal de‑escalation techniques to clients/patients
• Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team/program
• Experience providing leadership/direction to colleagues on a team
• Experience providing assistance with activities of daily living in an inpatient setting
• Experience assisting clients/patients in short- and long‑term needs through the participation of assigned nursing, clinical and rehabilitative interventions
• Experience participating in admission and discharge planning
• Experience observing and recording client/patient behavior in an inpatient setting and preparing pertinent reports

Special Requirements

• Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
• 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 required to lift and restrain clients and may have significant exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases, strongly disagreeable conditions and risk of injury.

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.

This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.