Seasonal Mental Health Worker I - 32 Hour - Taunton State Hospital

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, 32 hours per week. The work schedules are listed below. Seasonal positions do not offer employee benefits with the exception of sick time accruals.

1st shift, working from 6:45am to 3:15pm, with Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off.
2nd shift, working from 2:45pm to 11:15pm, with Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off.
3rd shift, working from 11:00pm – 7:00am, with Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off.

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 a