Mental Health Worker I - Adolescent Services
Yesterday• Worcester, MA
Job Description
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital is seeking a dynamic candidate who will provide direct patient care services to individuals by participating and instructing activities of daily living including, but not limited to personal care, community integration and recreation/leisure to ensure daily needs, rehabilitation needs, and human rights are met. Mental Health Workers treat all patients with dignity and respect through interactions which affirm the individual's needs and preferences and by optimally integrating their perspective into all facets of care.
Please Note: The schedules below are available.
• Unit E1, 3rd Shift, 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM, with Week 1: Tuesday/Saturday & Week 2: Sunday/Friday as the days off.
• Unit E1, 3rd Shift, 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM, with Week 1: Monday/Saturday & Week 2: Sunday/Thursday as the days off.
• Unit E2, 3rd Shift, 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM, with Week 1: Sunday/Wednesday & Week 2: Monday/Saturday as the days off.
Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Provides direct care and/or assists persons served in the direct care skills of the activities of daily living (ADL) as needed as well as the habilitation/rehabilitation aspects of care to ensure the health, comfort, safety, and human rights of persons served.
- Takes and reports vital signs as instructed.
- Accompanies persons served to appointments, programs, and treatment areas and assists professional or medical staff as needed.
- Provides observation of persons served according to hospital and departmental policy, conducting 5, 15, 30-minute checks and 1:1 or constant observation as directed.
- Assists in the planning and implementation of rehabilitative, behavioral, and recreational care of persons served by contributing to and/or addressing specific Treatment and Recovery Plan interventions with the treatment team.
- Discusses goals and needs of persons served while attending Treatment Team meetings and unit shift change report as instructed. Reports and discusses observations behavior, desires, and/or problems to ensure consistency and timeliness of care for persons served.
- Organizes and encourages persons served to participate in leisure time activities during unstructured time to enhance socialization and interpersonal skills.
- Actively participates in providing a safe therapeutic environment through observation and communication thereof.
- Reviews Individual Safety Plans of persons served and assists the treatment team by reviewing and recommending revisions to Individual Safety Plans. Communicates immediate observations and recommended changes required to immediate supervisor or charge nurse.
- Remains vigilant and aware of any safety and health concerns and reports them to the immediate supervisor and/or charge nurse.
- Responds as trained to emergency situations.
- Utilizes de-escalation, restraint, and seclusion prevention strategies to provide trauma-informed care.
- Establishes a rapport with persons served; meets with assigned persons served at designated intervals to discuss goals and other care issues to facilitate recovery.
- Where available, uses a computer for documentation which includes medical records, daily reports, safety checks, etc.
- Completes admission forms through interviewing and orienting people served. Communicates priority information for care to the treatment team.
- Attends and completes all required annual training courses.
- Performs related duties as required.
Want more jobs like this?
Get jobs in Worcester, MA delivered to your inbox every week.
Required Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the English Language
- Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression.
- Ability to write clearly and concisely, expressing thoughts clearly and developing ideas in logical sequence.
- Ability to gather information through observing and questioning individuals.
- Ability to gather information 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 who are under physical and/or emotional stress.
- Ability to 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 the laws, rules, regulations, procedures, guidelines, and policies governing assigned unit activities.
- Ability to lift and carry heavy objects or people.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with individuals with serious, persistent mental illness, substance abuse and/or who have experienced homelessness.
- Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.
- American Sign Language (ASL)
About Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH):
Located on over 20 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) is part of an integrated network of effective, efficient, and culturally competent mental health services. It provides intermediate and long-term inpatient care for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who live in Massachusetts, as well as individuals requiring specialized court ordered evaluations.
WRCH provides inpatient services to 290 adults and 30 adolescents, inclusive of a Deaf Inpatient Mental Health Service program for 10 patients.
Learn more about WRCH: Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) | Mass.gov
DMH Mission Statement:
The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and support 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-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.
ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests
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.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: None.
Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.
Based on assignment: Incumbents are required upon successful completion of a training program to obtain and maintain one or more of the following certifications: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and Medication Administration Program (MAP) certification .
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.
Client-provided location(s): Worcester, MA
Job ID: Commonwealth_of_Massachusetts-260002DZ
Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Posted: 2026-03-21T18:40:51
Perks and Benefits
Health and Wellness
- Health Insurance
- Health Reimbursement Account
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- FSA
- HSA
- Mental Health Benefits
Parental Benefits
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Family Support Resources
Work Flexibility
- Flexible Work Hours
- Hybrid Work Opportunities
Office Life and Perks
- Commuter Benefits Program
Vacation and Time Off
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Personal/Sick Days
- Volunteer Time Off
Financial and Retirement
- Pension
- Financial Counseling
Professional Development
- Promote From Within
- Mentor Program
- Access to Online Courses
- Lunch and Learns
- Internship Program
- Leadership Training Program
- Associate or Rotational Training Program
Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program