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 join our hospital’s team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (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, with the Southwest Community Mental Health System (SWCMHS), are currently recruiting for a Therapeutic Recreation, Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (PCN 90364), to work within an inpatient unit in the Rehabilitation Services division. This role will be located at our Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center at 1635 Central Avenue in Bridgeport. This is a first shift, full time, 40 hours per week position. The work schedule is on a two-week rotation and can be seen in further detail below:

Week 1:

Week 2:

Discover the Opportunity to:

• Complete all rehabilitation therapy documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, group documentation, and reassessments needed to meet joint commission guidelines;
• Perform therapeutic recreation interventions designed to assist in meeting client goals and improving levels of overall functioning;
• Explore local community recreational resources with clients while teaching life skills for inpatient clients;
• Conduct vocational educational work program & coordinates educational opportunities through the recovery education center.

Rehabilitation Services (RS) are integrated throughout all programs and service locations, available to any consumer who is interested in the service. The RS division includes Supported Employment, Supported Education, Life Skills Training, and Peer Support services. Additionally, RS is overseeing the conversion of traditional Case Management and ACT programs to Community Support and Recovery Pathways. These services are provided within the context of partnership, coaching, skill training, social network building, health maintenance, and the provision of assistance to attain an enriched living experience toward individual recovery.

Our employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, and a retirement plan, as well as paid time off! We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.

In a state facility this class is accountable for the planning, administration, implementation and evaluation of professional therapy programs in a recognized therapeutic discipline for individuals with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities.

Selects, plans, administers and implements a therapeutic program by utilizing a specific therapy function to teach skills to correct disorders in intellectual, emotional or motor status of an individual; writes and implements treatment plans; plans, schedules and conducts individual and group activities; actively participates in admission, treatment and discharge planning of an individual; participates in interdisciplinary team meetings presenting cases and discussing future treatment goals and objectives for an individual; participates in institutional, professional and community groups and/or task forces; participates in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary committees; trains and supervises staff and individuals in application of a specific discipline; provides in-service training to other staff; attends and participates in workshops and conferences; gathers and uses data from observation and diagnostic tests to develop goals and new activities; coordinates therapy services with other disciplines such as occupational or physical therapy; selects appropriate materials and implements a therapeutic program to meet needs of individual; maintains and orders equipment; observes, records and evaluates individual progress; may transport and escort individuals to community functions; may teach direct care and paraprofessional staff in application of a specific therapy; may make adaptive equipment; may serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of the therapeutic recreation discipline; knowledge of physical and intellectual disorders; knowledge of individual and group dynamics; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; skill in evaluating individual needs.

Five (5) years of professional experience in the appropriate professional rehabilitation therapy program specialty performing such activities as program evaluation, planning and application for individuals with intellectual, emotional and physical disabilities.
Note: For state employees this will be interpreted as one (1) year of experience at the level of Rehabilitation Therapist 1 or its equivalent.

College training in the appropriate recognized therapeutic recreation discipline may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (W.S.I.), and/or life saving (CPR, First Aid) from the American Red Cross.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain positions.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury and moderately disagreeable conditions while providing treatment to individuals with disabilities.