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Mental Health Assistant 1 (Multiple Opportunities)


Job Location:

Hartford, CT - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 52934 - 71297
Posted: 11 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 8 October 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy
The job posting is outdated and position may be filled

Job Summary

Introduction

Make a meaningful impact at Connecticut Valley Hospital - join our team and help support individuals on their path to wellness and recovery.


The State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is currently recruiting for Mental Health Assistant 1 positions across multiple units and shifts within Connecticut Valley Hospitals (CVH) General Psychiatry Division (GPD) and Addicion Services Division (ASD).At CVH youll join a collaborative mission-driven team dedicated to empowering individuals strengthening communities and delivering high-quality behavioral health care.

Position Highlights:
  • Divisions: General Psychiatry Division (GPD) and Addiction Services Division (ASD)
  • Locations:
    • Middletown Campus (GPD & ASD): 1000 Silver Street Middletown CT
    • Hartford (Blue Hills) Campus (ASD): 500 Vine Street Hartford CT
  • Available Shifts: First Second and Third Shift Opportunities (see shift times below)
Middletown CampusHartford (Blue Hills) Campus
1st Shift7:00 AM - 3:30 PM6:45 AM - 3:15 PM
2nd Shift3:00 PM - 11:30 PM2:45 PM - 11:15 PM
3rd Shift11:15 PM - 7:15 PM11:00 PM - 7:00 AM
  • Available Schedules:
    • Full-time: 35 hours per week
    • Part-time:or 8 hours per week (Please note: positions under 16 hours are not benefit eligible)
  • Note: These positions can be assigned any unit/location and work schedule/shift within CVH
Why Choose the State of Connecticut
Note: Benefit offerings may vary or not apply for specific part-time positions
    *Starting Salary Information:
    • New hires to the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 shall be paid an entry level hourly rate of $27.65.
    • Upon successful completion of the working test period effective the payroll period following the Employee shall be compensated at an hourly rate of $28.98.
    • Employees who have previously completed a working test period in an 1199-covered direct-care position shall not be subject to this reduced training rate upon transfer or promotion.
    • The full salary range (after completion of working test period) is: $52934 - $71297 annually;$28.98 - $39.03 hourly.
    As a Mental Health Assistant 1 you will:
    • Assist in the assessment planning and delivery of paraprofessional nursing clinical and rehabilitative interventions
    • Advocate for client needs personal goals and preferences
    • Support individuals in developing coping strategies and life skills
    • Participate in treatment planning and therapeutic programming
    • Promote dignity safety and civil rights for all clients
    • Help maintain a safe healthy and recovery-oriented environment
    • Work closely with a multidisciplinary team dedicated to person-centered care
      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.

      Established in 1868 Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH) is the states leading public hospital for mental health and addiction treatment. With 17 inpatient units across its Middletown and Hartford campuses CVH provides comprehensive psychiatric care substance use treatment and specialized services including programs for individuals with dual diagnoses and survivors of traumatic brain injury.

      Please note:

      Selection Plan
      Permanent DMHAS employees in the classification of Mental Health Assistant 1 should not apply; transfers within DMHAS will be handled through the agency lateral transfer process.

      Candidates hired from this posting may be initially provided with a temporary assignment; the permanent assignment will be determined within the first six months of employment.

      FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

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

      BEFORE YOU APPLY:

      • 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 updatessuch as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling linksplease 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.
      • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs) which must be completed by the questionnaires 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).

      QUESTIONS WERE 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 please email Alyssa Hovanec.

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

      PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
      In a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services hospital behavioral health facility or program this class is accountable for assisting in the assessment planning and implementation of paraprofessional nursing clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions designed to support clients short and/or long-term needs.
      EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

      • Participates in assigned nursing clinical and/or rehabilitative interventions to meet client short and long-term needs;
      • Advocates for services or resources that meet client needs and preferences;
      • Assists client in developing effective strategies for managing internal and external stress;
      • Routinely solicits personal goals and preferences;
      • Identifies and facilitates use of appropriate support networks;
      • Participates in education and training activities to further skill development;
      • Participates in admission and discharge planning activities;
      • Protects civil rights of client;
      • Maintains a safe and healthy environment;
      • May manage client behaviors through verbal communication as needed;
      • Performs related duties as required.

      COMMUNITY OR OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS:

      • Functions as a member of a case management team or program;
      • Participates in assessment crisis intervention and monitoring of clients in community at large (i.e. emergency rooms jails homeless shelters outpatient programs etc.);
      • Assists client in learning and practicing daily living skills medication monitoring and/or community adaptation skills;
      • Provides individual group and/or family supportive treatment under appropriate supervision.

      INPATIENT WARD OR UNIT:

      • Communicates and interacts with clients;
      • Participates in development of nursing care and treatment plans;
      • Encourages client to participate in therapeutic activities;
      • Observes and records client behavior and prepares pertinent reports;
      • Participates in on-going education and training programs;
      • May participate in follow up of client in community-based services;
      • May supervise self-administration of oral medication.
      KNOWLEDGE SKILL AND ABILITY
      • Knowledge of
        • acceptable standards of nursing care;
        • psychiatric rehabilitation and/or case management principles and procedures;
        • community support systems and resources;
      • Considerable
        • interpersonal skills;
        • oral and written communication skills;
        • counseling skills;
      • Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
      MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
      One (1) year of experience at the level of a Mental Health Trainee.
      MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
      • An Associates degree in mental health technology may be substituted for the General Experience.
      • Two (2) years of college training in a behavioral science social work rehabilitation therapy or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience.
      • One (1) year of experience as a Recovery Support Specialist providing peer support to agency clients may be substituted for the General Experience.
      • Completion of a mental health trainee certificate program may be substituted for one-half (1/2) year of the General Experience.
      PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
      • Experience working in a skilled nursing facility
      • Experience as a certified nursing assistant or as a health aide
      • Experience working with individuals in recovery from behavioral health or substance use challenges in a professional setting
      • Experience using skills to engage individuals in treatment services
      SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
      • Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
      • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operators license.
      • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
      WORKING CONDITIONS
      Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain clients and may have significant exposure to communicable and/or infectious diseases strongly disagreeable conditions and risk of injury.
      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.

      Required Experience:

      Junior IC


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