Mental Health Worker I - Adolescent Services - 2nd Shift

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Worcester, MA

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Mental Health’s Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital is seeking a Mental Health Worker I to provide direct care and assistance with activities of daily living to people served in an inpatient setting. The role supports implementation of habilitative, rehabilitative, behavioral, and recreational treatment plans by sharing information and input with the treatment team, while exemplifying DMH’s commitment to a culture of safety. These are full-time, 40-hour positions on the second shift, from 2:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. The available schedules include different rotating or fixed days off. Employees are required to perform mandatory overtime. WRCH is an inpatient facility in Worcester, Massachusetts, providing intermediate- and long-term care for people with serious and persistent mental illness, as well as specialized court-ordered evaluations. The hospital serves adults and adolescents and includes a Deaf Inpatient Mental Health Service program.

Requirements

Knowledge of the English language.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and write clearly and concisely, expressing thoughts clearly and developing ideas in logical sequence.
Ability to gather information through observation, questioning, and examination of records and documents.
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to establish rapport and deal tactfully with people from varied ethnic, cultural, or economic backgrounds.
Ability to interact with people under physical or emotional stress and maintain a calm manner in stressful or emergency situations.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to work in a team setting and in group situations.
Ability to exercise sound judgment.
Ability to understand, apply, and explain laws, rules, regulations, procedures, guidelines, and policies governing assigned unit activities.
Ability to lift and carry heavy objects or persons.
No minimum entrance requirements.
A current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to the assignment may be required.
Depending on assignment, successful completion of training may require obtaining and maintaining one or more of the following certifications: CPR, first aid, and Medication Administration Program (MAP).
Successful candidates must acknowledge and attest to their COVID-19 and influenza vaccination status or required mitigation measures.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with individuals with serious, persistent mental illness, substance abuse, and/or histories of homelessness.
Bilingual or multilingual fluency.
American Sign Language (ASL) ability.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care and assist with activities of daily living and habilitation or rehabilitation needs to support the health, comfort, safety, and human rights of people served.
Take and report vital signs as instructed.
Accompany people served to appointments, programs, and treatment areas, and assist professional or medical staff as needed.
Observe people served according to hospital and departmental policy, including scheduled checks and one-to-one or constant observation as directed.
Contribute to and address interventions in Treatment and Recovery Plans with the treatment team.
Discuss goals and needs at Treatment Team meetings and shift-change reports, and report observations, behaviors, desires, or problems to support consistent and timely care.
Organize and encourage participation in leisure activities to promote socialization and interpersonal skills.
Support a safe therapeutic environment through observation and communication.
Review Individual Safety Plans, recommend revisions, and communicate observations or recommended changes to the supervisor or charge nurse.
Remain alert to safety and health concerns and report them to the supervisor or charge nurse.
Respond to emergency situations as trained.
Use de-escalation and restraint and seclusion prevention strategies to provide trauma-informed care.
Build rapport and meet with assigned people served at designated intervals to discuss goals and care issues that facilitate recovery.
Use a computer, where available, to document medical records, daily reports, safety checks, and other information.
Complete admission forms through interviewing and orienting people served, and communicate priority care information to the treatment team.
Attend and complete required annual training.
Perform related duties as required.