Community Support Specialist

Job Description - Community Support Specialist (26160875)

Job Description

Primary Location

: Connecticut-Meriden-Rushford Center Inc Meriden (10172)

Job

: Non-Medical

Organization

: Rushford

Job Posting

: Jul 21, 2026

Community Support Specialist - (26160875)

Description

Work where every moment matters.

Every day, over 40,000 Hartford HealthCare colleagues come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here. We invite you to become part of Connecticut's most comprehensive healthcare network.

Rushford Center, one of Connecticut's leading providers of addiction and mental health services, is nationally recognized for delivering outstanding prevention, treatment and recovery programs. We offer a wide range of programs including Acute Care and Evaluation, Residential Addiction Treatment, Individual, Group & Family Therapy, Intensive Outpatient programs and Community Support Programs. Through the passion of our specialists, we continue to treat every patient with care, compassion and respect, while providing affordable and accessible services.

Job Summary

This position works with individuals with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders ito support achieving and maintaining the highest degree of independent functioning. A comprehensive array of rehabilitation services are provided, most of which are in the community. Assessing client needs, planning and linkage to appropriate services, advocacy as well as providing outreach and engagement are essential job functions. Coordinates and provides services within an integrated and recovery-oriented system of care.

Job Responsibilities

• Evaluate, monitor, and re-evaluate service utilization in accord with Recovery Plan.

• Maintain accurate and complete documentation of services to meet federal and state guidelines and document in electronic health record within 48 hours.

• Relate encounter notes to goals identified in the Recovery Plan.

• Describe concretely and objectively in behavioral terms client response to interventions, next steps, date, time, service duration, location of activity, practitioner name, and credentials.

• Perform recovery-oriented interventions/services ensuring effective progress toward the Recovery Plan Goals, in accordance with federal and state expectations.

• Create an individualized safety plan with client and perform corresponding intervention during crisis, including submitting a critical incident report.

• Provide individual and group psycho-education and activities for activities of daily living and self-management.

• Facilitate connections to the individual's recovery natural supports.

• Link client to mutual support/self-help groups, and other basic needs resources in the community.

• Assists clients in arranging transportation (to clinical, medical and any other appointments deemed necessary).

• Organize family education and support activities.

• Use client information in accordance with HIPPA guidelines.

• Participate regularly in team meetings/annual reviews and integrated team meetings attended by collateral service providers.

• Works under the general supervision of a licensed behavioral health professional.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Associates'' Degree in mental health, human services discipline, or related field

• Bachelor's degree in mental health, human service discipline or related field is preferred

• Previous experience working with individuals diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and substance use

• Requires current, valid CT Driver's license

As a Hartford HealthCare entity, Rushford provides eligible employees with an extensive benefits package consisting of:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off with accrual starting on the date of hire, including paid holidays
• Higher Education Partnerships with select universities and colleges
• Tuition reimbursement. HHC provides the maximum benefit allowed by the IRS to cover educational expenses with no additional tax burden for you
• Success Sharing Program
• Leadership growth opportunities and trainings
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Additional voluntary benefits as well as employee discount programs
• Flexible schedule

With locations around the state, Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth. Here, you are part of an organization on the cutting edge - helping to bring new technologies, breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men, women and children. We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees- we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure work/life balance. Every moment matters. And this is your moment.

Work Locations

:

Rushford Center Inc Meriden (10172)

883 Paddock Avenue

Meriden 06450

Standard Hours Per Week: 40

Full-time (40 hours)