Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (40 Hour) (Office/On-site)

Introduction

\r\nAre you passionate about supporting people on their recovery journey and seeing the impact of your work every day?\r\n\r\nIf so, apply today!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTHE POSITION\r\n\r\n\r\nThe State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant to join the Wellness and Recovery Center team.�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHIGHLIGHTS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n FACILITY: River Valley Services (RVS)\r\n LOCATION: 351 Silver Street, Middletown, CT\r\n UNIT:�Wellness and Recovery Center�\r\n POSITION NUMBER:�00024825\r\n SCHEDULE:�Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU\r\n\r\n\r\n Visit our��State Employee Benefits Overview page!�\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities\r\n A healthy work/life balance to all employees\r\n \r\n THE ROLE\r\n \r\n \r\n This essential position provides both individual and group rehabilitative programming focused on teaching life skills, increasing independence, and supporting recovery goals for individuals living in the community with serious and complex behavioral health and substance-related conditions.\r\n Working as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team, the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant plays a critical role in enhancing client's quality of life, promoting community living skills, and maintaining the integrity of the Community Support Program model. This position is vital to the ongoing operations, health, and safety of clients served by the Wellness and Recovery Center.�\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n ABOUT US�\r\n \r\n DMHAS is the state agency responsible for providing a comprehensive system of behavioral health services for adults experiencing mental health and substance use conditions across Connecticut. DMHAS works to ensure accessible, recovery-oriented, and evidence-based care through community programs, state-operated services, and partnerships with local providers. The agency is committed to improving outcomes for individuals with severe and persistent behavioral health needs by coordinating services, promoting early access to care, and supporting safe transitions across levels of treatment.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n River Valley Services (RVS), a community mental health center serving Middlesex County and the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme, is operated by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). RVS’s goal is to provide the highest quality crisis intervention, case management, and residential and clinical services to adult citizens, 18 years of age and older, who suffer from serious mental disorders and who lack the financial means to secure such services in the private sector.�\r\n \r\n \r\n Services are directed at improving clients’ quality of life and fostering dignity, ability, and recovery. We are dedicated to promoting a complete and responsive service system for our clients and others in need. All persons receiving services from River Valley Services have the right to culturally appropriate mental health and addiction services consistent with their communication needs and personal preferences. Translation and interpreter services are available at RVS.�\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n PLEASE NOTE:\r\n \r\n A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.\r\n All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\nCheck out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?� Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.�\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. �\r\n Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.�\r\n Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.�\r\n Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.�\r\n Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. �Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.�\r\n Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.�\r\n\r\n\r\n Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”\r\n\r\n\r\n Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).���\r\n Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!�\r\n Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Anamaria Giangarra at Anamaria.giangarra@ct.gov\r\nJoin the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state facility this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of paraprofessional tasks in assisting in the assessment, planning and implementation of a program of purposeful activities to develop or maintain the adaptive skills necessary to achieve maximal physical and mental functioning.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n\r\n In occupational therapy performs paraprofessional evaluations of clients including reflex testing, range of motion, muscle strength testing and sensory awareness;�\r\n Trains clients in personal skills essential for privacy and independence including self-feeding, personal hygiene, dressing, bathing, grooming, communication skills, etc.;�\r\n Designs therapy intervention programs;�\r\n Under supervision of a licensed occupational therapist, determines need for adaptive equipment, assists in development of treatment plans and implements direct occupational therapy interventions;�\r\n Trains direct care staff to implement programs;�\r\n Implements physicians’ therapy orders;�\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n\r\n Knowledge of principles and practices of occupational therapy;�\r\n Considerable skill in application of occupational therapy techniques;�\r\n Skills\r\n \r\n interpersonal skills;�\r\n leadership skills;�\r\n \r\n \r\n Ability to\r\n \r\n design paraprofessional therapy interventions;�\r\n recognize change and to report/record pertinent information.\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain a license as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant issued by the Connecticut State Department of Public Health in accordance with the applicable Connecticut General Statutes.\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working in the community with adults with behavioral health and substance use conditions\r\nExperience developing and implementing life skills groups\r\nExperience carrying out treatment plan goals\r\nExperience grading and adapting goals on a treatment plan\r\nExperience working on a multidisciplinary team\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

\r\n \r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in designated languages or proficient in use of American Sign language in certain positions.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.\r\n \r\n\r\n

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain patients/clients; may have some exposure to infectious/communicable diseases and to some risk of injury from assaultive or abusive patients/clients; on occasion may be exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions.\r\n

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

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.\r\n