Professional Counselor (40 Hour)

State of Connecticut - DMHAS Connecticut Valley Hospital; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional growth

Healthy work-life balance

Job summary

State of Connecticut - DMHAS Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown is seeking a Professional Counselor to provide clinical care on a 22-bed acute psychiatric unit. You will conduct psychosocial assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, and deliver CQ services within a multidisciplinary team to promote recovery and safe transitions to community-based care.

The role emphasizes active treatment, discharge planning, crisis intervention, and collaboration with community resources to

Qualifications

• Must hold Licensure as a professional counselor in the state of Connecticut.
• Experience performing psychosocial assessments and developing treatment plans.
• Ability to coordinate care across multidisciplinary teams and discharge planning.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Provide crisis intervention and individual/group counseling.
• Coordinate care and ensure smooth transitions to community-based services.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to promote recovery and least-restrictive care.

Skills

Counseling skills

Psychosocial assessment

Crisis intervention

Interpersonal communication

Case management

Job description

Introduction

Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you ready to take the next step in your career?�� If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

THE POSITION

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)�is currently seeking a dedicated and experienced Professional Counselor�to join our team.��

HIGHLIGHTS

• FACILITY: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
• ADDRESS: 39 Tynan Circle Middletown, CT
• POSITION NUMBER: 00142255
• UNIT: Addiction Services Division (ASD) Merritt 2DE�
• SCHEDULE: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8AM-4:30PM

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

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

THE ROLE

The Professional Counselor position offers the opportunity to provide meaningful clinical care within an acute psychiatric hospital setting, supporting individuals with complex behavioral health needs as they work toward stabilization and recovery. The role involves delivering active treatment and comprehensive discharge planning for patients in a 22-bed unit, ensuring continuity of care and successful transitions to community-based services. As a key member of a multidisciplinary treatment team, the Professional Counselor conducts psychosocial assessments, develops and implements individualized treatment plans, and provides clinical services such as crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, and care coordination. The position emphasizes collaboration, professional judgment, and the use of community resources to promote patient strengths, improve outcomes, and support timely movement to the least restrictive level of care. This role is ideal for a counselor who is passionate about recovery-oriented care, teamwork, and making a direct impact in an acute behavioral health environment.

ABOUT US

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.�

CVH's vision and mission is to promote recovery through collaborative, compassionate, and culturally competent treatment in a safe, healthy, and caring environment.� We provide trauma informed gender responsive treatment that empowers individuals to manage recovery, improve quality of life and return to the community.��

We provide an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, and effective services that promote dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency. At CVH�we offer opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals across our Addiction Services Division and Behavioral Health Division. CVH fosters a collaborative, supportive environment where team members work together to create life-changing outcomes for those we serve.

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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of principles, methodology, casework and techniques of counseling, interviewing and psychosocial assessment;
• Family and interpersonal relationship dynamics;
• Values, sanctions, purposes and ethics of professional counseling work;
• Community resources;
• Considerable interpersonal skills;
• Oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to devise and implement a treatment plan with measurable goals that address client needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Licensure as a professional counselor in the State of Connecticut.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working independently and self-directed.
• Experience utilizing oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with organizational and time management skills.
• Experience utilizing interpersonal skills and maintaining a professional manner.
• Experience using evidence-based practices in the treatment of substance use disorders.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice professional counselor work pursuant to Sec. 20-195 (aa-jj) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to have knowledge of sign language and communication ability with the deaf and hearing impaired in certain designated positions.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to have ability in Spanish oral and written communication in certain designated positions.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury from assaultive and/or abusive clients.

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.