Taunton State Hospital is seeking an experienced Mental Health Worker II. The successful candidate will assist professional staff in providing direct care and treatment for patients with major mental illness including psychogeriatric, intermediate care and acute care, and all other specialized care psychiatric units. This will include instruction and supervision of patients regarding skills achieved through effective ADLs.

Please Note: This position is 40 hours per week. The incumbent will work on the overnight shift from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Days off are Sunday and Monday.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Treats all patients with dignity and respect through interactions which affirm the individual’s needs and preferences and by optimally integrating the patient’s perspective into all facets of care; will advocate for patients, facilitate timely resolution of patient concerns and assist patients in the exercise of their rights.
• Acts as a role model when assisting & monitoring work performance of subordinates when carrying out daily ward assignments through close contact and supervision.
• Refers to assignment sheet during tour of duty & assesses assigned clients on a non-professional level & writes nursing progress notes reflecting behavioral changes as indicated in their treatment plan.
• Works with patients on an individual or small group basis through therapeutic interventions; provides a safe milieu for all patients by monitoring patient activity to promote optimal stabilization and rehabilitation.
• Provides/assists patients as needed with activities of daily living (ADL) and rehabilitative aspects of care to help ensure the health, comfort and safety needs of patients are being met.
• Establishes rapport with patients and other staff by developing a good, cooperative working relationship to aid in improved patient care.
• Communicates patients’ progress or regress by verbally reporting to the supervisor or designee, participating in treatment plan and nursing care plan meetings to ensure continuity of patient care. Documents observations in patients’ records as directed to provide written follow-through of verbal reports.
• Supervises and/or assists patients in their performance of general housekeeping duties in assigned area to ensure a clean, safe, therapeutic environment.
• May provide direction and is a role model for MHW Is and may complete assignment sheets.

About Taunton State Hospital

Taunton State Hospital (TSH) operated by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is a 45-bed inpatient facility that provides continuing care inpatient services to adults with major mental illnesses. The hospital is a leader in the successful integration of the Principles of Recovery and a rehabilitation philosophy into the treatment model and a part of the Southeast Area which works closely with the inpatient treatment teams to facilitate patients’ discharge back to the community.

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 Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 508-977-3383.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) one year of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in providing direct care service to the mentally ill, emotionally or physically handicapped, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. An Associate's degree or higher with a major in psychology, human services, mental health or retardation may be substituted for the required experience.*

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

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.

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