Mental Health Worker IV - Adolescent Services
Yesterday• Worcester, MA
Job Description
The Department of Mental Health (DMH), Worcester Recovery Center & Hospital is seeking dynamic candidates who will not only provide direct care services to individuals by participating and instructing activities of daily living but also support staff by delivering guidance and supervision.
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 daily care, including, but not limited to personal care, community integration and recreation/leisure to ensure daily needs, rehabilitation needs, and human rights are met.
Please Note: This position is full-time, 40 hours per week. The selected candidate will work on Unit E2 on 2nd Shift, 2:45 PM- 11:15 PM, with Week 1: Sunday/Thursday & Week: 2 Tuesday/Saturday as days off.
Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties and responsibilities are not all inclusive):
- Provides direction and supervision of staff to ensure effective completion of designated tasks/activities.
- Assists in orienting new employees to the unit policies and routines to promote consistency in practice.
- Utilizes Hospital Departmental and Accreditation Standards to determine and provide in-service training to ensure competent patient care.
- Provides direct care services in the activities of daily living by instructing and/or assisting patients in feeding, bathing, toileting, dressing, clothing maintenance, oral and physical hygiene, self-preservation, etc. to ensure daily needs, dignity and human rights of the patients are met.
- Assists in the implementation of the individual treatment plan by discussing and reporting observations regarding patient behavior, needs, desires or problems to ensure consistency of care.
- Practices principles of collaboration, assessment, recovery and environment (care), to provide a safe environment.
- Performs patient related housekeeping duties as needed, observing and reporting need for maintenance repairs to ensure a clean safe environment for patients.
- Accompanies patients to appointments, programs and treatment areas, assists professional or medical staff in providing services to patients to ensure health needs of the patients are being met.
- Provides leisure activities for patients during unstructured time to promote and enhance patient social skills.
- Orients new patients to the unit, advising them of policies and procedures to ensure their safety and comfort during their hospitalization.
- Attends meetings and training to improve knowledge and skills to be aware of and stay informed of hospital and departmental policies and procedures as well as HCFA and JCAHO regulations to provide a safe therapeutic environment.
- Provides "specialized" services to patients in the hospital or at other locations in order to provide support and ensure safety as needed.
- Monitors unit environment for building maintenance repairs, safety, cleanliness and comfort reporting all deficiencies to ensure health and safety standards.
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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.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with individuals with serious, persistent mental illness, substance abuse and/or who have experienced homelessness.
- Given the served population, bilingual or multilingual fluency.
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- Prior experience working with the adolescent population
About Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital:
The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) opened October 2012. The 320-bed recovery center and hospital serves 260 adults and 60 adolescents through an innovative design and provides a state-of-the-art environment for patients and staff. For many years to come, WRCH will serve to instill hope and forward the promise of recovery from mental illness and a life of independence and self-determination for all those who pass through.
Learn more about WRCH: https://www.mass.gov/locations/worcester-recovery-center-and-hospital-wrch
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.
Learn more about our important work: www.mass.gov/dmh
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.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience providing direct care service to the mentally ill, emotionally or physically handicapped and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
II. A Bachelor's degree or higher with a major in psychology, human services, mental health or retardation may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.
NOTE: No substitutions will be permitted for the required (B) experience.
Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed
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-250005IZ
Employment Type: FULL_TIME
Posted: 2025-07-22T11:37:10
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