Residential Mental Health Worker I - Day Shift - On Grounds Program

The Southeast Area On-Grounds Adult Residential Program is seeking a talented individual who have the ability to develop therapeutic relationships with Person Served to assist in developing meaningful Community Service Plans that will meet their life goals.  A professional atmosphere and performance are expected at all times.  Documentation of Person Served progress and communication is an essential duty.  Maintaining a Person Centered and Trauma Informed approach fosters an environment where individuals can work on achieving their goals and dealing with any barriers to their progress. This position requires transportation of clients to appointments and other community activities.

Please Note:  The selected candidate will work 40 hours per week on the 1st shift from 6:45 AM to 3:15 PM.  The days off will be Wednesday and Thursday. The primary work location will be in Taunton, MA, however this position will also provide coverage in Lakeville MA.

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

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties and responsibilities are not all inclusive):

• Works as primary advocate by providing direct one to one contact with assigned person served to assist them in all areas and to aid them in the implementation of their Community Service Plan.
• Appropriate record keeping ensuring documentation in the EMR of person served progress and to ensure compliance with existing DMH regulations and procedures.
• Adheres to MAP policies and procedures to ensure that medication is administered safely to person served.
• Assist person served in development of independent living skills, such as personal hygiene, cooking, housekeeping, clothing maintenance, and nutrition by utilizing motivational interviewing skills and counseling techniques, role modeling and/or other individualized or group best practices to promote person served growth.
• Engage persons individually and/or in group, in the development of recreational, educational, health and fitness activities within the program and the community to foster an improved quality of life.
• Promote emotional growth and mental stability by assisting with use of Safety and Crisis Plans to promote independence in managing crisis. 
• Provide an oral report to the oncoming shift; reading and writing all pertinent information in the log and communication with person in charge all required and necessary information to facilitate communication and provide for continuity of care.
• Ongoing yard, house and vehicle maintenance, and cleaning to ensure that the condition of GLE site/yard meets Rehab Option, Licensing and Human Rights standards.
• Act in a professional, courteous and respectful manner in dealing with persons served, families, coworkers and other service providers.
• Maintain an environment of respect, privacy and quality of service to uphold the rights of persons served.  Assist persons to file complaints when needed.

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.

Special Requirements:

• Please note in accordance with an agreement between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Health and AFSCME/Council 93, employees assigned to a work unit where the Medication Administration Program (MAP) is used are required to pass MAP certification within 6 months of entering the position or 3 examination opportunities, whichever comes first. Employees are required to maintain MAP certification as long as you are working in said program.
• Possession of a current and valid class D Motor Vehicle Operator’s license required for this function.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience in and/or knowledge of human services.
• MAP Certification.
• Experience with DMH regulations and program procedures.
• Familiarity and implementation of MAP policies.
• Experience working with individuals with serious, persistent mental illness, substance abuse and/or who have experienced homelessness. 
• Previous experience working in a residential setting
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

About the On Grounds Program:

On Grounds Program is part of the Taunton/Attleboro Site that transitions clients from an inpatient setting to a more independent community living setting. The Program is staffed 24 hours a day/7 day a week. In all we always aspire to create an environment which promotes growth and independence for patients, families, and employees alike.

Learn more about our important work: Southeast Area | Mass.gov

DMH Vision and Mission:

The Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, 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. This critical mission is accomplished by working in partnership with other state agencies, individuals, families, providers, and communities.

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.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at (800) 510-4122, Option 4

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
 
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:  None. 
 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  None.
 

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.