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Mental Health Worker I (Evening)

Yesterday Boston, MA

Job Description

The Metro Boston Mental Health Units of the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Mental Health Worker I. The ideal candidate will be a compassionate, skilled caregiver, to aid in the recovery of persons treated within our inpatient psychiatric setting. Our Mental Health Workers ensure dignity and respect with our patients through interactions which affirm the individual's needs and preferences and by optimally integrating their perspective into all facets of care.

Please Note: This is a full-time (40hr/week) Evening shift position with alternating weekends off. Shift hours: 3pm-11pm. Days off: Week 1 Mon/Sat; Week 2: Sun/Friday.

Employees in this position will be required to work 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 persons served.
  • Communicates priority information for care to the treatment team. Attends and completes all required annual trainings

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Required Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated ability to follow written and oral instructions by gathering information through observing and questioning individuals.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression, writing clearly and concisely, and developing ideas in logical sequence.
  • Ability to perform basic mathematics.
  • Ability to interact with people who are under emotional stress.
  • Ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful or emergency situations.
  • Capacity to work in a team setting and in group situations.

  • 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
    • Knowledge of safety practices and procedures followed in a mental health facility.

    Hospital Mission:

    At the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, we take pride in helping people recover from illnesses and conditions that are often underserved or difficult to manage in other health care settings. The DMH units within the Hospital provide inpatient psychiatric services to adults with serious mental illness with the goal of enhancing autonomy, safety and return to the community.

    Patients are treated by a multidisciplinary team, led by attending psychiatrists which also includes psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, mental health workers, occupational therapists and rehabilitative staff specializing in vocational, recreational, and expressive therapies. A variety of treatment modalities are used, including psychopharmacologic, psychotherapeutic (individual, group, and family), psycho-educational, behavioral, cognitive and milieu therapies.

    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 ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

    For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. #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): Boston, MA
    Job ID: Commonwealth_of_Massachusetts-260000QM
    Employment Type: FULL_TIME
    Posted: 2026-02-07T18:37:05

    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