Regional Mental Health Director

Introduction

Do you have a passion for supporting others? Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic health care environment in the public sector? Check out this opportunity with the State of Connecticut!

The Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) is hiring a Regional Mental Health Director based out of Wethersfield, CT.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• NEW: Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn about our medical and dental insurance plans, sick/vacation/personal leave accruals, state holidays, tuition reimbursement and more!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.

POSITION DETAILS
This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position on first shift. Schedule is Monday-Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm. The position is based at our Central Office, located in Wethersfield, CT.

This position is part of the mental health leadership team for the Connecticut Department of Correction, and includes the following roles and responsibilities:

• Provides clinical oversight to Psychiatry providers across the agency;
• Provides clinical supervision to psychiatry providers
• Policy development;
• Clinical practice guidelines for psychiatry;
• Participant on Pharmacy and therapeutics committee;
• May provide testimony for court proceedings representing the agency;
• Conduct psychiatric evaluations as needed or to provide clinical consultation;
• Administrative responsibility for psychiatry team
• recruitment/retention;
• Training/education;
• Collaboration with outside agencies on psychiatry matters.

ABOUT US
Since 1968, the Connecticut Department of Correction has proudly served and protected the citizens of the State of Connecticut by daily ensuring the safety, security, and order of our 14 correctional facilities in a manner that is widely viewed as a national model. The Department endeavors to provide the programming, education, and treatment that willing inmates may utilize to improve themselves and the success of their eventual reintegration into society. Our staff of dedicated correctional professionals takes great PRIDE (Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dignity, Excellence) in the daily performance of their duty to our state.

OUR MISSION
The State of Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law-abiding and accountable behaviors. Safety and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens, and offenders.

For an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• 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 as select "Update My Contact Information."
• 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).
• 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!
• 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.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• 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.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

Due 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 Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Correction this class is accountable for administering mental health services in an assigned region to offenders and inmates under the care and custody of the agency including offenders assigned to Parole and Community Services supervision.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Directs staff and operations relating to mental health care in an assigned region;
• Coordinates, plans and manages daily delivery of mental health services programs to the offender, inmate and parole population;
• Formulates and leads mental health services team in attainment of agency goals and objectives;
• Assists with development and implements and evaluates policies, goals, and objectives to ensure conformance with national standards, administrative policies, accreditation of staff and statutory provisions;
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Provides ongoing performance feedback and evaluations and initiates and enforces progressive discipline when necessary;
• Maintains contact with individuals within and outside of agency who might impact on programs and services;
• Assists in development of programs and activities including development of mental health service standards and criteria;
• Implements new procedures and procedural revisions;
• Determines or assists in determination of appropriate mental health staffing levels to ensure appropriate resource allocation and compliance with collective bargaining agreements and labor laws;
• Monitors mental health services activities for conformance with relevant state and federal licensure and other statutes, regulations and/or policies;
• Enforces mental health services polices and agency administrative directives; coordinates with human resources to ensure hiring, retention, training and promotion of qualified staff;
• Ensures mental health service operations within budgetary guidelines for region;
• Regulates number of infirmary beds within designated facilities;
• Coordinates offender admissions and transfers due to mental health necessity;
• Conducts risk management assessment of care including fiscal, mental health and security issues ensuring quality of treatment;
• Provides expert testimony in court;
• Participates on various committees and boards;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May participate in quality assurance studies and investigations;
• May represent the Commissioner regarding mental health lawsuits;
• May provide mental health consultation and direct care to offenders requiring second opinions;
• May participate in quality assurance studies and investigations;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • relevant agency policies and procedures;
  • principles, practices and techniques of mental health with particular reference to diagnosis and treatment of offenders;
  • recent developments in field of mental health;
• Knowledge of administration and clinical operations, functions and systems involving mental health service delivery;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
  • organizational skills;
  • analytical skills;
• Ability to teach and provide clinical supervision.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Experience in a hospital, clinical setting or correctional facility as a board certified psychiatrist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity or as a leader of programs and processes.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess an unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery in Connecticut.
• Incumbents in this class must possess and retain certification as a specialist in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. 1320a-7b (f).
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain certification as a specialist in an area such as geriatrics, ABI/TBI, forensics, substance abuse, etc.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess appropriate current licenses, certifications or permits.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

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.