Employment Opportunities
Resident Advisor, Therapeutic Group Home
We are looking for a Resident Advisor to provide support and general supervision, oversees the therapeutic milieu and day-to-day functioning of our clients while representing the agency in a positive light. Resident advisors, with support from the clinical treatment team, maintain a safe and healthy therapeutic environment. This is an awake position that provides staff coverage during all shifts including holidays; twenty four hours a day seven days a week.
Responsibilities:
- Support and supervise residents in the execution of their daily activity plans.
- Supervise and assist residents with planning, shopping and preparation of nutritious meals.
- Oversee residents’ grooming and personal hygiene (i.e. daily bathing, dental, nail, hair care and personal laundry)
- Supervise and assist residents with daily housekeeping tasks.
- Provide access to medical care (i.e. basic first aid, arranging appointments, transporting to medical facilities, assessing need and arranging for urgent or emergency care.)
- Administer medication under the guidelines and regulations of the DCF Medication Administrations Policies.
- Provide consistency and continuity of individual treatment programs for each resident.
- Support residents’ educational plans and progress.
- Support residents’ vocational goals and employment efforts.
- Fosters a stable and therapeutic environment by maintaining the values and principles of the Therapeutic Group Home philosophy, Risking Connections, while focusing on the meaning of behavior and trauma histories of the residents.
- Promotes a positive, communicative environment with all client providers and assists clients in maintaining appropriate contact.
- Assist in implementing of plans for cultural and recreational activities, mentoring opportunities, community connections and other avenues designed to broaden the residents’ positive life experiences.
- Maintain a safe, harm-free environment for all residents as follows:
- Protects residents from aggressive behaviors of other residents by preventing physical fights, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, hazing, theft and borrowing of property.
- Monitor the behavior of visitors and report any unauthorized people on the grounds of the residence.
- Assure fire prevention measures are followed.
- Document and report all incidents of risky or unsafe resident behavior (i.e. substance abuse, SIB, etc.)
- Provide and maintain a consistent, structured, yet flexible framework for daily routines, house rules and policies.
- Foster positive resident behaviors by modeling and teaching constructive communication and conflict resolution.
- Transport residents to school, activities, medical and counseling appointments, recreational activities, bus and train terminals and shopping excursions.
- Lead resident discussion groups to convey instructions, share information, organize group activities and resolve conflicts.
- Completes daily and monthly reports, critical incidents and assigned paperwork in an accurate and timely manner; in accordance with PNMI Standards.
- Attend weekly staff meeting and participates in Agency training programs as assigned by the Supervisor and/or the Program Director.
Qualifications:
An Associate’s Degree in a human service field and experience working with behaviorally challenged and at-risk adolescents. Must have the ability to relate to a variety of people and situations, to work with other staff members as part of a team, provide a positive role model and represent positive cultural and moral values. Familiar with Trauma Theory, Female Development, Female-Responsive principals, and relational strength based approaches to care. Good verbal and written communication skills.
The employee must present a current valid driver’s license and have available, use of a safe and roadworthy vehicle. The employee shall ensure the Agency has proof of suitable automobile insurance at all times.
Upon hire or shortly thereafter, the employee must acquire and present the following:
- A currently valid DCF certification to administer medications
- A currently valid certification in CPR
- A certificate of successful completion of a First Aid Course
- A certificate of completion in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
- A certificate of completion in Risking Connections
The employee is required to be able to operate a personal computer with proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word. The applicant/employee must pass a State Police check, a drug screening exam, a DCF protective service background check and a motor vehicle check.
Driver for Student Transportation Vehicle
We are looking for drivers who are responsible for transporting CT Department of Children and Families (DCF) clients to and from school, authorized appointments, and family visits.
Responsibilities:
- Ensures that vehicles can be operated safely before driving and conducts pre-trip safety inspections.
- Transports passengers in a safe and lawful manner and obeys all traffic laws.
- Ensures all passengers use seat belts at all times.
- Maintains proper supervision and oversight of clients’ safety and well-being.
- Maintains promptness in keeping appointments and adhering to agreed upon schedules.
- Abides by NCSS’s client confidentiality policies and procedures.
- Reports any problems or concerns regarding a specific client or transportation request.
- Participates in all required trainings.
- Maintains a CT driver’s license with a minimum of a “V” endorsement.
- Maintains a CPR & First Aid certification.
Qualifications:
- 21+ years old
- Minimum of 3 years of driving experience
- Clean driving record
- Pass a criminal and DCF background check
- Pass a drug test
- Minimum of a CT DMV public passenger “V” or “S” endorsement
Recovery Assistant, Working for Integration Support and Empowerment (WISE)
The Recovery Assistant, under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of Community-Based Services, provides a flexible range of face-to-face supportive assistance in accordance with a Recovery Plan that enables a client with chronic mental illness to maintain a home/apartment, encourages the use of existing natural supports, and fosters involvement in social and community activities.
Responsibilities:
- Performs the following tasks if the participant (by reason of physical or psychiatric disability) is unable to perform them, or assists, or cues the participant to perform them:
a. Meal planning and preparation, shopping, housekeeping (e.g., changing linens, washing dishes, vacuuming/dusting, laundry, mending clothing repairs), basic household tasks (e.g., regulating home temperature, storing food appropriately, resolving issues about bill paying).
b. Cueing clients for dressing, personal grooming and hygiene needs.
c. Appropriate use of emergency medical services.
- Assists or cues the participant to perform or become engaged in:
a. Family, social, and recreational activities.
b. Appropriate use of natural community supports (e.g., social clubs, faith-based supports).
c. Appropriate use of routine medical/dental services.
d. Use of medications as prescribed, including self-administration of medications.
e. Healthy habits (e.g., healthy diet, exercise, and behaviors designed to alleviate stress).
f. Fulfillment of personal commitments, and adherence to scheduled appointments/meetings (e.g., clinical, vocational, educational, and judicial/court).
- Assists or cues the participant to avoid:
a. Risky behaviors (e.g., unprotected sex, smoking/excessive use of tobacco products, unsafe driving/driving without seatbelts, unsafe relationships, criminal activities).
b. Substance abuse.
c. Overspending.
d. Unnecessary conflicts.
- Engages in supportive and problem solving-oriented discussions with the participant.
- Establishes and maintains a helpful, supportive, companionship relationship with the participant that involves such activities as:
a. Escorting the participant to necessary medical, dental, or personal business appointments;
b. Reading to or for the participant;
c. Engaging in or discussing recreational, hobby, or sport-related activities;
- Other activities directed at reducing disability, restoring participant functioning and achieving independent participation in social, interpersonal, family, or community activities and full community re-integration and independence.
- Participates in waiver Recovery Plan development and quarterly Recovery Plan update meetings, if requested by the DMHAS Support Coordinator.
- Maintains excellent communication skills while building relationships with community providers that are involved with the client’s Recovery Plan.
- Completes and submits all required documentation in a timely manner.
- Completes 6 hours of continuing education training each year to maintain the Recovery Assistant Certification.
Qualifications:
This position requires employee to be at least 18 years old; possess a minimum of a high school diploma or GED; possess a valid Connecticut driver’s license; and have the use of a safe and road-worthy vehicle to assist clients with transportation. Experience working with clients with chronic mental illness and working with clients in-home preferred.
Hiring is contingent upon successfully passing a state police check, a drug screening exam, a physical exam including a PPD, and completing the Recovery Assistant training through the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).