Skip to main contentA logo with &quat;the muse&quat; in dark blue text.

Mental Health Worker III - Adult Services

AT The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Mental Health Worker III - Adult Services

Worcester, MA

Job Description

The Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital operated by The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a dynamic candidate for a Mental Health Worker III position who will provide direct 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 selected candidate will work on Unit C1 on 3rd shift from 11:00 PM- 7:00 AM with Sundays and Mondays as days off.

Want more jobs like this?

Get jobs in Worcester, MA delivered to your inbox every week.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.


Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties 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.
  • 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 rehabilitates aspects of care to help ensure the health, comfort and safety needs of patients are being met.
  • Establishes rapport with patients and with 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 continuance of patient care. Documents observations in 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.
  • Performs clerical duties, such as filing, making out requisitions and collecting data in order to maintain complete and accurate records to help expedite services.
  • Participates in continuing education/in-service programs to upgrade skills and knowledge, and competency.
  • Participates in admission, transfer and discharge process by collecting and recording appropriate information and providing physical and emotional support to the patient.
  • Orients new patients to the unit and provides the patient with a review of available resources and their ability to access these resources.
  • Advise, assist and teach Mental Health Workers of lower grade the knowledge and skills required to perform their duties effectively.
  • Organize, plan, direct and implement daily ward routine as directed.
  • Take an active leadership role managing daily problems, interventions and supervision.

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:

  • Two years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience working with individuals with serious, persistent mental illness, substance abuse.
  • Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.
  • American Sign Language (ASL)
  • Prior experience working with the adolescent population

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 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, 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) two years 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. 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 experience.

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

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: None .

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, USA
Job ID: Commonwealth_of_Massachusetts-24000AG7
Employment Type: Full Time

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