Mental Health Worker II

The Dr. John C. Corrigan Mental Health Center is seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals for the position of Mental Health Worker II who desire a rewarding career making a difference in the lives of individuals. Our ideal candidate for this position will assist professional staff in providing day-to-day direct care to individuals on a 16-bed secured inpatient unit with serious and persistent mental illness, including monitoring patients behaviors, providing instruction on the activities of daily living and guidance and support to MHW I staff in completing these tasks. The selected candidate will possess strong therapeutic interpersonal skills to encourage and motivate individuals in their recovery to work towards treatment goals.

Please Note: 40 hours weekly, day shift position 6:45 am -3:15 pm

Days off: Sunday and Monday

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties and responsibilities are not all inclusive):

• Provides programmatic direct care services, instructing and assisting patients/clients in learning the skills of daily living and foster independence in feeding, bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming and self-preservation
• Assists professional staff in the implementation of habilitative/rehabilitative behavioral and recreational programs by reporting observations about patient/client behavior, needs, desires and problems, providing information and making recommendations concerning the patient/client and their treatment plan
• Organizes, provides and encourages patients/clients to participate in active treatment/leisure activities, including working on goals identified on their treatment plan
• Completes regular observational safety checks, environmental risk assessments and 1:1 observation duties, reporting changes in patient status to charge nurse
• Responds to behavioral and medical emergencies utilizing principles of restraint reduction, de-escalation, debriefing as well as basic first aid and CPR, serving as a leader and role model for MHW I staff
• Assists in the orientation, instruction and ongoing evaluation of new and existing MHW and other new unit staff by providing information and supervision in unit protocols and procedures and general shift duties.
• Determines the need for supplies on the unit, completing all appropriate requisitions following established procedures, receiving and tracking requisitioned supplies as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the English language and ability to follow and provide both written and oral instructions and reports
• Ability to write clearly and concisely and maintain accurate records.
• Capacity to gather information through observing and questioning individuals and examining records and documents
• Capability to maintain a calm manner in stressful or emergency situations and exercise sound judgment
• Skilled in writing clearly, communicating effectively and developing ideas in logical sequence
• Demonstrated experience in the ability to understand, apply and explain the laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and policies governing assigned unit activities
• Capability to lift and carry heavy objects or persons and participate in CPR and restraint
• Demonstrated competence in establishing rapport and dealing tactfully with persons from varied ethnic, cultural or economic backgrounds or with those who are under physical and /or emotional stress

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual (Portuguese, Spanish, Khmer) or multilingual
• Experience working with individuals with serious mental illness, behavioral or mood disturbances in an inpatient setting
• Experience working in facilities that are accredited and inspected by The Joint Commission, Department of Public Health, Board of Health, Department of Mental Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• Certified Nursing Assistant training or experience in providing direct care and assistance with activities of daily living
• Current & valid driver's license from Massachusetts or equivalent
• Experience in providing orientation or instruction to staff in essential job functions

Working Conditions:

• While performing the duties of this position, incumbents work under stressful situations and under time pressures
• Applicants may be exposed to verbal and/or physical confrontations and potentially dangerous environments
• Incumbents will work nights, weekend days and holidays, and may work extended hours

DMH Mission Statement:

The Dr. John C. Corrigan Mental Health Center / Fall River Site provides comprehensive services to adults and children. Programs include a 16-bed acute in-patient unit, Case Management, Day Treatment Program and Adult Community Clinical Services. Our mission is to provide person centered care to individuals of diverse backgrounds. We always aspire to create an environment which promotes recovery, resiliency, growth and independence for those we serve and their families as well as to create an environment where employees can learn and grow.

Total Compensation:

As an employee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are offered a great career opportunity influencing a wide-spectrum of services to the diverse populations we serve - but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits which you should consider towards your overall compensation, including:

• 75% state paid medical insurance premium
• Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
• Low cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation and Personal Time
• Tuition benefit for employee and spouse at state colleges and universities
• Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
• Incentive-based Wellness Programs
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

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

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 would like to request an ADA or religious accommodation, please click on the link and complete the .

For questions, please contact 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.

Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.