Mental Health Worker I - Adolescent Services - 3rd Shift

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Worcester, MA

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Mental Health’s Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital is hiring a Mental Health Worker I to provide direct care and support activities of daily living for people receiving inpatient services. The role supports implementation of habilitative, rehabilitative, behavioral, and recreational treatment plans, shares observations and input with the treatment team, and helps maintain a safe, therapeutic environment that reflects the Department’s commitment to safety and human rights. These are full-time, 40-hour positions on the third shift, 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., assigned to Unit E1 or E2. Available days-off schedules vary by unit and week. Mandatory overtime is required. The position serves a population that includes adults and adolescents with serious and persistent mental illness, as well as individuals requiring specialized court-ordered evaluations. The Commonwealth offers a comprehensive employee benefits package. Candidates must acknowledge and attest to their COVID-19 and influenza vaccination status, or applicable mitigation measures, as required for this position. A criminal background check is required before hiring, and education, licensure, and certifications will be verified. Depending on assignment, employees may need a valid motor vehicle driver’s license and, after completing training, one or more certifications in CPR, first aid, or the Medication Administration Program.

Requirements

Knowledge of the English language.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and write clearly and concisely, expressing thoughts clearly and developing ideas in a logical sequence.
Ability to gather information by observing and questioning individuals and by examining 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 remain calm in stressful or emergency situations.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to work in a team and group settings.
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.
Must acknowledge and attest to vaccination status for COVID-19 and influenza, or applicable required mitigation measures.
A current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license may be required depending on assignment.
Depending on assignment, must obtain and maintain one or more certifications in CPR, first aid, and the Medication Administration Program after successfully completing a training program.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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