Metro Boston Mental Health Units of the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital are seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Mental Health Worker III. The ideal candidate will be a compassionate, skilled caregiver, to aid in the recovery of persons treated within our inpatient psychiatric setting.

The Mental Health Worker III (MHW III) is an integral part of the treatment team on the Metro Boston Mental Health Units (MBMHU). They support the MHW IV and serves as a role model for MHW I and MHW II staff at all times, by taking initiative in meeting patient needs, demonstrating professionalism and respect in all interactions, and working collaboratively with RNs, LPNs, MHWs and other disciplines.

Please Note: The selected candidate will provide supervision to staff. This position is 40 hours per week, and the incumbent will work the 2nd shift schedule from 3 PM to 11 PM. Days off are, Week 1: Sun/Thurs, Week 2: Mon/Sat

Employees in this position will be required to perform "mandatory overtime"

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

• Provides direction and supervision of staff to ensure effective completion of designated tasks/activities.
• Assists in orienting new employees to unit policies and routines to promote consistency in practice.
• Utilizes Hospital Departmental and Accreditation Standards to determine and provide in-service trainings to ensure competent patient care.
• Facilitates peer support groups to enhance staff performance and maintenance of a healthy and therapeutic workplace environment.
• Responds efficiently and effectively to emergency situations.
• Provides direct care services in the skills of daily living by instructing and/or assisting patients in feeding, bathing, toileting, dressing, cleaning, and clothing maintenance, oral and physical hygiene, self-preservation, etc. to ensure the daily needs, dignity and human rights of the patients are met.
• Establishes a rapport with all patients, meeting with patients assigned to as Contact Person weekly to discuss goals and other issues pertaining to their care, therefore facilitating a speedy recovery.
• Practices principles of Safety, Hope and Healing, including prevention, trauma-informed care, de-escalation, and restraint/seclusion only when necessary to provide a safe environment.
• Assists patients in reviewing and revising their Individual Crisis Plans (ICPP) and brings recommended changes to the Treatment Team. Reports and discusses observations regarding patient needs, behavior, desires and/ or problems to ensure consistency and timeliness of good patient care.
• Assists in the planning and implementation of rehabilitative, behavioral, and recreational patient care by giving patients copies of their Treatment Plans, discussing their goals and attending Treatment Team meetings and unit “rounds.”

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:

• Three years' 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.

Hospital Mission

At the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, we take pride in helping people recover from illnesses and conditions that are often underserved or difficult to manage in other health care settings. The DMH units within the Hospital provide inpatient psychiatric services to adults with serious mental illness with the goal of enhancing autonomy, safety and return to the community.

Patients are treated by a multidisciplinary team, led by attending psychiatrists which also includes psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, mental health workers, peer specialists, occupational therapists and rehabilitative staff specializing in vocational, recreational and expressive therapies. A variety of treatment modalities are used, including psychopharmacologic, psychotherapeutic (individual, group and family), psycho-educational, behavioral, cognitive and milieu therapies.

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 Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

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

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have (A) at least two (2) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in providing direct care services to individuals with a mental illness or physical disabilities or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitution below.

Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to assignment.

Based on assignment: Incumbents are required upon successful completion of a training program to obtain and maintain one or more of the following certifications: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and Medication Administration Program (MAP) certification.

Substitutions:

I.An Associate’s degree in psychology, human services or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

II.A Bachelor’s degree or higher in psychology, human services or a closely related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

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.