Mental Health Worker I

Mental Health Worker I

The Department of Mental Health Community Transition Program is seeking a conscientious individual to fill the role of Mental Health Worker I, within a residential program in Walpole, MA. This is a full time 40 hours per week position Third Shift 11:00 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. Days Off are Week 1 Sunday/Friday and Week 2 Friday/Saturday Employees in this position will be required to work mandatory overtime.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direct care services to clients by supervising & instructing activities of daily living including but not limited to personal care, community integration, & recreation/leisure to ensure daily needs, rehab needs & human rights of clients are met.
• Assist in development of client Individual Assessment Plans (IAPs) and complete progress notes and all related documentation.
• Supervise and/or assist clients in self-medication by following specific instructions concerning appropriate medication & in accordance with specific instructions by licensed medical personnel/Medical Administration Program (MAP) policies & procedures to make sure meds are properly maintained and administered.
• Maintain progress notes which may include daily reports, verbal and written inter-shift communication, daily/monthly/quarterly and annual reviews, evaluations and assessments to provide current & updated information on client's rehabilitation progress.
• Assist in crisis intervention by identifying and evaluating situations, providing necessary interventions, notifying appropriate personnel & preparing documentation per established procedures to ensure human rights and safety standards are met.
• Provide effective Medication Administration Program (MAP), CPR and First Aid services by completing and maintaining required certifications and training per established policies & procedures in order to provide a safe and healthy environment for clients.
• Act as a professional role model by interacting with clients and staff in a respectful, positive, clear, proactive and consistent manner to ensure a therapeutic milieu.
• Help develop clients' social, recreational and employment skills by being part of their interdisciplinary team and by implementation of rehab. goals and related activities, such as recreational and necessary community outings, seeking employment and participation in scheduled programming.
• Develop Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), nutritional assistance and independent community living by overseeing, instructing and assisting clients in such skill areas as menu planning, food and other shopping, meal preparation, daily hygiene and health routines, and other duties to prepare clients to live in a more independent setting.
• Assist in the general cleaning of the residence and residence grounds & provide training by demonstrating, modeling, assisting and performing household tasks to maintain a clean and safe residence.
• Aid clients in scheduling, monitoring and attending day rehab. and other appointments by providing guidance, necessary documentation, transportation, prompting and accompanying residents to aid clients in accessing appropriate & necessary services and resources.
• Attend ongoing related training and development as scheduled.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Capacity to perform basic mathematics.
• Proven ability to gather information through observing and questioning individuals.
• Talent for communicating effectively in oral expression, writing clearly and concisely and developing ideas in logical sequence.
• Skilled in interacting with people who are under emotional stress with the ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful or emergency situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with individuals with serious, persistent mental illness, substance abuse and/or who have experienced homelessness.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency preferred.
• Psychiatric and acute care setting experience preferred.

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.

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

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.