Mental Health Worker IV

The Erich Lindemann Mental Health Center is looking for a motivated Mental Health Worker IV for the Lindemann Inn Shelter.  The selected candidate will join a diverse and dynamic team to provide direct care and support to shelter guests and to foster a compassionate, safe and therapeutic environment within the shelter. 

The ideal candidate has experience working with clients with serious, persistent mental illness, substance abuse and/or who have experienced homelessness.  The selected candidate must be flexible and able to work collaboratively with shelter guests and other staff in a challenging environment.  

The Lindemann Inn is an emergency homeless shelter for clients of the Department of Mental Health consisting of a 60-bed CoEd Unit and a 20-bed Women's Unit and located inside the Erich Lindemann Mental Health Center.  The Lindemann Inn is committed to promoting the independence and self-determination of those we serve as a step toward successful transition to permanent housing. 

Schedule: 11:00PM-7:00AM, Monday through Friday.  Saturday and Sunday off. Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime.

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

• Ensures that a safe, positive, respectful and supportive environment is maintained for all clients and staff on assigned shift

• Ensures that staff on assigned shift follow all DMH and shelter policies and protocols consistently and professionally

• Ensures that staff on assigned shift are providing appropriate, effective, person-centered interventions to clients that maintain clients' dignity and human rights at all times

• Overall responsibility for all safety practices on assigned shift including safety checks, missing client protocol, limit setting, evacuations, crises, documentation, and emergencies.

• Provides functional supervision to Mental Health Workers on assigned shift

• Provides support, guidance and coaching to staff on assigned shift regarding client interactions, managing client behaviors, determining and setting limits and on applicable DMH and shelter policies and protocols

• Ensures all operational and client-related issues present on assigned shift are addressed in a timely fashion and appropriately communicated and documented

• Provides orientation to new staff assigned to the shift, and reviews with all staff rules and protocols when appropriate.

• Provide direct supervision of assigned Mental Health Workers: meet regularly and maintain records, provide performance evaluations and review Form 30s within the DMH timeline guidelines

• Provides direct and indirect supervision of program practices as assigned by program director which may include: Interviews prospective Mental Health Work employees and makes hiring recommendations;

• Obtains and or maintains MAP certification within 6 mos. of employment by successful completion of MAP training and certification through the American Red Cross.

• Administers client medication, transcribes client medication, completes admission documentation

• Assists, instructs and supervises clients in the Lindemann Inn with their ADL skills (i.e. showers, meals, laundry, housekeeping, etc.)

• Provides, participates and supervises recreational activities for the clients. 

• May drive state vehicle as needed.

• Other related duties as assigned or instructed

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions and 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 interaction with people who are under emotional stress with the ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful or emergency situations.

• Capacity to work in a team setting and in group situations.

• Committed to professional growth and development.

• Ability to lift and carry heavy objects or persons.

• Maintains up to date CPR certification.

• MAP Certification: In accordance with an agreement between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Health and AFSCME/Council 93, employees assigned to a work unit where the Medication Administration Program (MAP) is used are required to pass MAP certification within 6 months of entering the position or 3 examination opportunities, whichever comes first. Employees are required to maintain MAP certification as long as you are working in said program.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience working with individuals with serious, persistent mental illness, substance abuse and/or who have experienced homelessness.

• Driver's license.

• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency. 

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and support 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-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 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 regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at Ext. 4

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 "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%25 of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.