The Massachusetts Mental Health Center is seeking a talented and experienced Registered Nurse II to join our diverse team of mental health providers at our thriving state operated community mental health center dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality mental health services to the residents of the Commonwealth. We take pride in our commitment to improving the mental well-being of our community through evidence-based practices and compassionate recovery-oriented care. This RN II role provides direct care to clients at Center’s outpatient clinic including but not limited to the Clozaril and Injection clinics Responsibilities include conducting nursing assessments; developing and implementing treatment plans based on prescriber instructions; providing psychosocial support and psychoeducation; leading wellness groups; and coordinating care to ensure continuity of services. The role also includes supporting medication refills, assisting with prior authorizations for treatments and prescriptions, and implementing routine metabolic monitoring for all Center clients.

Please Note: This is a full time (40 hours per week), first shift, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM in person position with Saturday and Sunday off. Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime.

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

• Provides direct nursing care to clients, including but not limited injection administration, medication distribution, taking vital signs, nursing assessment and comprehensive metabolic screenings.
• Follows all relevant medication administration and monitoring protocols.
• Schedules all necessary follow up appointments.
• Responsible for outreach and engagement efforts with persons served in the clinics to help ensure medication adherence and monitoring.
• Provides patient education to support medication adherence including information about possible side effects of new medications as well as potential medication interactions.
• Leads or co-leads a wide range of wellness-focused, recovery-oriented groups, as assigned, including but not limited to those addressing issues such as nutrition, weight management, medication education, smoking cessation, etc.
• Responsible for helping to triage any psychiatric and/or medical crises that may arise at MMHC.
• Assesses and evaluate each client seen for psychiatric and medical issues and reports any significant changes/concerns to other members of the person served treatment team including but not limited to assigned prescriber.
• Develops and maintains appropriate therapeutic relationships with clients demonstrating adaptability in response to client preferences and changing needs, documenting that such concerns have been passed on.
• Assists in preparing and obtaining prescriber orders.
• Provides direct supervision of LPN and ancillary personnel.
• Plans and assigns duties according to the nature of the activity to be accomplished utilizing the principles and practices of supervision by evaluating the capabilities of subordinates (and available resources) to provide a safe and therapeutic environment.
• Evaluates the capabilities of subordinates to provide a safe and therapeutic environment, provides assistance to staff in improving their skills and abilities and completes formal employee evaluations (EPRS) in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates the ability to direct, teach, delegate and supervises outcomes of that delegation.
• Evaluates nursing and ancillary staff activities by reviewing patient medical records and by observing nursing care to ensure that nursing care is carried out as directed, and that treatments and medications are administered in accordance with physician orders
• Provides clinical documentation to insurers to obtain prior authorization/approval for medications, treatments as needed.
• Assists prescribers by facilitating/processing medication refill requests received from the patients, community providers or pharmacies.
• Responsible for entering all required client referral information into appropriate databases for all newly referred individuals to the MMHC outpatient clinic.
• Assists in the completion of supplemental/alternative medication payment applications on behalf of indigent and/or uninsured clients to ensure the clients can receive the prescribed medication.
• Monitors supply utilization and follows established procedure with respect to inventory management and established procedures for ensuring replenishment of supplies.
• Seeks additional knowledge and skills to promote growth by attending conferences
• Meets all requirements as a Mandated Reporter.
• Responsible for ensuring that all documentation for assigned persons served is completed in a timely fashion in accordance with billing, DMH, and MMHC’s standards, policies, and procedures, meeting 100% of DMH, MMHC and third party legal requirements for quality assurance and utilization review.
• Follows agency risk mitigation policies and procedures with respect to reporting any significant event/incident and ensures the completion of all associated required documentation.
• Notifies billing or medical records departments of any changes in client insurance or demographic status.
• Performs other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of the principles of physiological, psychological, and emotional growth and development.
• Familiar with the types and characteristics of drugs used in treating physical and mental disorders.
• Knowledge of and uses of diagnostic procedures employed in nursing practice.
• Experience with interviewing and problem-solving techniques.
• Knowledge of psychotherapies and principles of psychosocial rehabilitation.
• Ability to understand and apply rules, regulations, and laws governing agency and unit operations, maintain accurate records and able to follow and give clear and precise oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as physician’s orders and treatment plans as well as participate in a multi-disciplinary health care team.
• Able to exercise sound judgement, make decisions and act quickly in emergency situations.
• Skilled in establishing rapport and deal effectively with persons from diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of client information.
• Experienced in motivating clients to participate in individual treatment plans as well as treating and interacting with persons who are under physical/emotional stress.
• Able to assess, analyze, draw conclusions and determine the applicability of clinical data in order to make and/or take appropriate actions, recommendations, or referrals.
• Ability to supervise and evaluate staff and trainees.
• Ability to plan and conduct training in nursing.
• Skills in preparing and implementing treatment plans.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing agency and unit.
• Familiar with the types and uses of agency and unit forms.
• Experienced with public and private community-based resources for clients.
• Familiar with safety practices and procedures followed by agency and unit
• Knowledge of newer therapies, interventions and behavioral techniques.
• Experience with substance abuse preferred.
• Spanish speaking preferred.

About the Massachusetts Mental Health Center:

The Massachusetts Mental Health Center (MMHC) is a Department of Mental Health operated community mental health center located in the Longwood Medical area of Boston, Massachusetts.

In its state-of-the-art facility, MMHC offers a vast range of community mental health services and remains one of the most preeminent community mental health teaching programs in the country.

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-Offer 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 the 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 at least (A) one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience as a registered nurse in a recognized hospital, clinic or medical facility, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Graduate degree with a major in Nursing may be substituted for the required experience .*

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

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL LEVELS IN SERIES: Current and valid registration as a professional nurse under the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

*Recent graduates from an approved school of nursing must have applied for the first available registered nurse examination.

Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license may be required.

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.