Seasonal Mental Health Worker I

This is a seasonal position for an anticipated duration of 90 days.

Taunton State Hospital is seeking candidates for the Nursing Department to provide direct care and treatment to the adult mentally ill patients on the locked units of DMH at Taunton State Hospital under the direction of professional nursing staff. The MHW I will provide assistance, instruction and supervision in activities of daily living to include hygiene, care of living area, care of personal belongings. All interactions will be person centered utilizing a person first approach with safety of all being the number one priority while acknowledging the dignity of risk.

Please Note: This is a seasonal position for an anticipated duration of 90 days.This position is part-time, 20 hours per week. The work schedules will be 10:30am to 9:00pm or 9:00pm to 7:30am working Sunday and Saturday. The days off will be Monday to Friday. Seasonal positions do not offer employee benefits with the exception of sick time accruals.

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

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

• Provides direct care services daily to include but not limited to taking vital signs, monitoring intake and output as well as assisting clients with feeding and personal hygiene while instructing and assisting clients in learning skills of daily living to promote independent ADL functioning.
• Utilizes a Person First, Person Centered approach when working with clients in assisting them in their recovery.
• Provides care to the patients with respect to their needs as defined by the specific age population and / or culture. Assist in problem identification, planning and teaching by reporting pertinent observations to charge person.
• Serves as a client advocate, ensures that confidentiality and human rights are maintained.
• Ensures the spiritual needs of clients are met by coordinating with senior staff and / or charge nurse.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely, expressing thoughts clearly and developing ideas in logical sequence.
• Ability to work in a team setting and in group situations.
• Ability to establish rapport & deal tactfully with persons from varied ethnic, cultural or economic backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful or emergency situations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy objects or persons.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency

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.

DMH Vision and Mission:

The Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, 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. This critical mission is accomplished by working in partnership with other state agencies, individuals, families, providers, and communities.

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 and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

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, please contact the Office of Human Resources at and select option #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.

Title 101 CMR "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.

Official Title: Mental Health Worker I

Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Taunton-60 Hodges Avenue

Job: Direct Care

Agency: Department of Mental Health

Schedule: Part-time

Shift: Multiple

Job Posting: Jan 22, 2026, 2:49:09 PM

Number of Openings: 2

Salary: Hourly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: William Herbert; WILLIAM.L..GOV

Bargaining Unit: 02-AFSCME - Service/Institutional

Confidential: No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: No