Community Program Assistant Jobs in Meriden, CT (NOW HIRING)

Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to Make an ImpaCT!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), seeks a qualified individual for the anticipated position of Health Program Assistant 1.

Location: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network (WCMHN)

Unit: Behavioral Health Home Unit

Address: 55 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT

Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours per week, first shift, 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday

Position Number: 135746

What's in it for you:

• 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;
• We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
• We encourage a strong work/life balance for all state employees.
• We offer opportunities for professional and personal growth.
• We have limitless areas for you to perform relevant and significant work.
• As a loan forgiveness organization, you may be able to qualify for one or more State or Federal loan forgiveness programs.

Discover the opportunity to:

• Develop and assist with implementation of all phases of infection control/prevention;
• Develop and assist with the implementation of all phases of pandemic preparedness including screening processes for staff, clients and visitors;
• Investigate, analyze and evaluate infections in staff, clients and visitors;
• Review potential infection threats in surrounding cities and states; and
• Participate in the development of policies and procedures involving infection prevention/control.

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. We promote and administer comprehensive, recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment throughout Connecticut.

WCMHN was formed in 1996 in order to coordinate clinical, fiscal and administrative oversight of Region 5 contracted and state-operated mental health services. Their mission is to provide a comprehensive and effective recovery-oriented system of mental health and addiction services that promotes self-sufficiency, dignity, cultural sensitivity and respect.

Within this service system, there are three state-operated Local Mental Health Authorities, which are located in Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington. In partnership with WCMHN, they provide and coordinate local clinical services. Over 200 staff including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, rehabilitation and mental health workers provide services for persons with a long-term mental illness. Approximately 7,000 clients receive services in a variety of programs, including peer support programs, recovery services, supported employment, homeless services, residential, crisis services, jail diversion, outpatient, case management, Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTT) and young adult services.

Behavioral Health Home is a healthcare service delivery model focused on the integration of primary care, mental health services, and social services and supports for adults and children diagnosed with mental illness. The Behavioral Health Home model of care uses a multidisciplinary team to deliver person-centered services designed to support a person in coordinating care and services while reaching his or her health and wellness goals. We provide services such as comprehensive care management; care coordination; health promotion; comprehensive transitional care; individual and family support; referral to community and support services.

Selection Plan

For assistance in applying:

Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

This position may be subject to Federal requirements of COVID-19 Vaccination.

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.

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 Jensine Tran at jensine.tran@ct.gov.

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work):

In a state health program or project this class is accountable for assisting in the compilation and interpretation of fiscal and programmatic data and statistics, development and implementation of program plans, grant management and monitoring.

Examples of Duties:

Subject duties vary considerably depending on nature of program and current stage in its life cycle; typical examples of duties performed at this level include: assists in preparation of sections of state health plans; gathers fiscal, programmatic, census or other kinds of needed data from federal, state and other sources; compiles statistics and may do some less complex calculations and interpretations; assists in reviews of program grant requests and monitors fiscal and programmatic performance of grants using agency regulations and guidelines; assists in preparation of program objectives and evaluation of program results; may serve a task force or committee; may answer general informational questions for the public and prepare information for distribution; may serve as a liaison between program or project and specific people or organizations for purpose of keeping information flowing; may assist in epidemiologic investigations; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability:

Knowledge of purposes, plans, objectives and programs of public health agencies including changing patterns of preventive medicine and environmental health; knowledge of state and community organizations and programs involved in health field; considerable oral and written communication skills