Job Description
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking qualified professionals for the position of Human Services Coordinator to promote services that are clinically appropriate, least restrictive and delivered close to home. The services are designed to be strength-based, recovery-oriented and culturally/linguistically competent.
The selected candidate advocates for client's services and planning activities with all community providers, agencies, families, court systems, employers and significant others in order to ensure that client's needs and wishes are recognized and respected. The Case Manager carries a caseload of assigned clients and helps clients locate and maintain housing, benefits/entitlements, healthcare providers, vocational services, DMH contracted community supports, socialization and community engagement opportunities and transportation to support a client's recovery goals and successful tenure in the community.
Want more jobs like this?
Get Legal Services jobs in Springfield, MA delivered to your inbox every week.
Please Note: This is a full-time, 40 hours per week position and the incumbent will work a schedule from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Days off are Saturday and Sunday.
Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Possesses excellent engagement skills with individuals who have a diversity of experience, behavioral challenges, and often significant trauma histories.
- Assists in discharge planning and service coordination for clients who are hospitalized, homeless, incarcerated and other settings to transition smoothly to the community.
- Develops and drafts a Comprehensive Assessment, Individual Service Plan (ISP) and an Individual Risk Management plan to support and ensure needs are addressed in a comprehensive and appropriate manner.
- Provides information, referral and short-term linkage services to those who are not DMH eligible, or those eligible on a waiting list for services.
- Links clients with appropriate agencies and organizations to meet client's needs identified through the ISP process and ensures that necessary services are provided in the least restrictive environment.
- Offers input regarding assessment of client's strengths and needs to supervisor or other clinical service staff in order to facilitate appropriate client care across all Area services.
- Facilitates helping and supportive relationship with clients, their families and significant others in order to encourage clients to function as independently as possible.
- Establishes working relationships with service providers and acts as the contact to resolve issues related to the provision of services as described in the client's ISP.
- Prepares consultation materials for presentations and follows up on relevant recommendations.
- Assists with needs and means evaluations of Adult Request for Service Applications in accordance with criteria specified in DMH regulations and guidelines.
- Attends case management staff meetings, ongoing and regular weekly supervision meetings, clinical reviews, staff meetings and relevant trainings sessions, seminars, conferences and academic courses in order to maintain and improve current knowledge of community treatment of the long term, seriously mentally ill, or seriously emotionally disturbed.
- Ensures that DMH contracted program staff provide life management supports as needed such as assisting clients with placements, monitoring appointments with medical/mental health providers; arranges transportation when necessary and finding appropriate housing.
- Identifies gaps in services and other system problems via participation in the Quality Improvement and Utilization processes for case management in order to maintain professional standards of client care within the Case Management Program.
Required Qualifications:
- Demonstrated knowledge of psychosocial problems of those with mental/emotional disorders and the types and symptoms.
- Understanding of the principles, practices and techniques of counseling.
- Familiarity with the types of programs and services available to individuals living with mental illness.
- General understanding of interviewing techniques.
- Knowledge of methods of general report writing with the ability to assess case management process and results.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong and effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen well, relate to others and demonstrate sensitivity and respect for individuals.
- Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse population with cultural competence and sensitivity, as well as the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies with diplomacy and tact.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
- Bilingual or multilingual fluency.
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.
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 Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Employment & Staffing at 1 (800) 510-4122, Option 4.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Applicants must have (A) at least three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional experience in human services work or social work or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
Based on assignment, travel may be required. Incumbents who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.
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.