Mental Health Worker I - Weekend Shift

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Taunton, MA

14h•Onsite

About The Position

Taunton State Hospital is seeking a Mental Health Worker I to provide direct care and treatment to adult patients with mental illness on locked units under the direction of professional nursing staff. The position supports patients with activities of daily living, including hygiene and care of their living areas and personal belongings. Interactions are person-centered and use a person-first approach, with safety as the top priority while recognizing the dignity of risk. This is a 20-hour-per-week weekend position on the first shift, from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., assigned to Unit Cain 4 West. Days off are Monday through Friday. Mandatory overtime is required. Taunton State Hospital is a 62-bed inpatient facility operated by the Department of Mental Health, providing continuing care to adults with major mental illnesses. It incorporates recovery principles and rehabilitation into treatment and works with inpatient teams to facilitate patients’ discharge to the community. The position has no minimum entrance requirements. Depending on the assignment, incumbents may need a valid motor vehicle driver’s license and, after completing training, may be required to obtain and maintain CPR, first aid, and Medication Administration Program (MAP) certifications. A criminal background check and verification of education, licensure, and certifications are part of the pre-hire process. The position is subject to requirements concerning COVID-19 and influenza vaccination or applicable mitigation measures.

Requirements

Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to write clearly and concisely, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in logical sequence.
Ability to work in a team setting and in group situations.
Ability to establish rapport and deal tactfully with people from varied ethnic, cultural, or economic backgrounds.
Ability to remain calm in stressful or emergency situations.
Ability to exercise sound judgment.
Ability to lift and carry heavy objects or persons.
Depending on assignment, may be required to hold a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to the assignment.
Depending on assignment, required after successful completion of training to obtain and maintain one or more certifications: CPR, first aid, and Medication Administration Program (MAP).
Must acknowledge and attest to COVID-19 and influenza vaccination status or applicable mitigation measures.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual or multilingual fluency.

Responsibilities

Provide daily direct care, including taking vital signs, monitoring intake and output, and assisting patients with feeding and personal hygiene.
Instruct and assist patients in developing daily living skills to promote independent activities-of-daily-living functioning.
Use a person-first, person-centered approach when assisting patients in recovery.
Provide care that respects patients’ needs in light of their age population and/or culture.
Assist with problem identification, planning, and teaching by reporting pertinent observations to the charge person.
Advocate for patients and maintain confidentiality and human rights.
Coordinate with senior staff and/or the charge nurse to ensure patients’ spiritual needs are met.
Assist, instruct, and supervise patients in activities of daily living, including hygiene and care of living areas and personal belongings.