Mental Health Worker IV - Evening Shift

Taunton State Hospital is seeking experienced candidates for our Mental Health Worker IV positions. The successful candidates will assist professional staff in providing direct care and treatment for the mentally ill patients including psychogeriatric on locked psychiatric units.  This will include instruction and supervision of patients regarding skills achieved through effective ADLs. Provides supervision to lower-level Mental Health Workers.

Please Note: This position is full time (40 hours per week). 

• Second shift (2:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.): Week 1 - Sunday/Thursday off; Week 2 - Tuesday/Saturday off

   

   

  Employees in this position will be required to work mandatory overtime.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provides direct care services daily while instructing and assisting patients in learning the skills of daily living to promote independent ADL functioning.
• Serves as patient advocate, ensures that confidentiality and human rights are maintained.
• Counsel's patients as indicated by conversing with them on a 1-1 basis using therapeutic communication in order to facilitate a therapeutic environment.
• Accompanies patients to various appointments, programs, and treatment areas and assists professional or medical staff as needed.
• Attends daily report at the start of each day.   Utilizes information learned in report to provide optimal care to the patients.
• Makes out daily ward assignment shift after consulting the charge nurse.  Assignment is made with consideration to acuity, patient and staff safety, and patient needs. 
• Checks assignment sheet at the start of each shift and accurately performs all duties as assigned. 
• Responds to off unit behavioral emergencies as assigned. 
• Provides a safe unit environment by accurately performing patient safety checks, accurately signing patients on and off the unit.
• Demonstrates knowledge of R&S reduction principles including prevention, de-escalation, and debriefing.
• Acts as a role model for subordinate staff while working closely with the charge nurse. 
• Performs duties of subordinate staff as assigned.
• Carries out basic medical procedures as directed by licensed staff to include Vital Signs, I&O, weights.
• Writes clear, concise behavioral notes daily on assigned patients using the treatment plan as a guide.
• Develops therapeutic relationships with individual patients, groups, and family members to facilitate continuity of care.
• Supervises mental health workers in the performance of job responsibilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.    

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Three years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience providing direct care service to the mentally ill, emotionally or physically handicapped and of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

About Taunton State Hospital

Taunton State Hospital (TSH) operated by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is a 45-bed inpatient facility that provides continuing care inpatient services to adults with major mental illnesses.  The hospital is a leader in the successful integration of the Principles of Recovery and a rehabilitation philosophy into the treatment model and a part of the Southeast Area which works closely with the inpatient treatment teams to facilitate patients’ discharge back to the community.

DMH Mission Statement: 

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Hire Process:

 A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Human Resources at (800) 510-4122, Option 4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience providing direct care service to the mentally ill, emotionally or physically handicapped and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. 

Substitutions:

II. A Bachelor's degree or higher with a major in psychology, human services, mental health or retardation may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience. 

NOTE: No substitutions will be permitted for the required (B) experience. * 

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.