Mental Health Specialist

Mental Health Specialist

Program & Location: Behavioral Health Triage / Short Term Assessment Evaluation and Treatment Unit, Brockton

Education: Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent GED required; Bachelors Degree in health and human services field preferred;

Pay Range: $20 - $24 hour (based on experience) Plus differentials

Shift: FT Evenings/Overnights, PT Evenings/Overnights, per diem all shifts

Status: FT-PT-Per Diem

Mental Health Specialist Requirements:

• Understanding of behavioral health conditions and substance use disorders
• Ability to maintain therapeutic boundaries
• An understanding of ethics
• Ability to set limits and enforce rules in a respectful manner
• Ability to assess and resolve scheduling, training and personnel issues
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing
• Basic computer skills
• CPR certification
• Certification in the HPTC approved de-escalation program
• Annual TB screening

Mental Health Specialist Duties and Responsibilities:

• Compliance with federal regulations, 42 CFR Part 2, Confidentiality of Alcohol Abuse Policy and HIPAA regulations;
• Group facilitation and completion of group notes as assigned;
• Monitor patients during meals, lectures, and group meetings, and outside privileges, as required;
• Supervise patients on the unit;
• Assist with routine and emergency medical and psychiatric problems including 1:1 observation, safety checks, emergency procedures / situations, physical/mechanical restraints and seclusions etc;
• Utilize walkie - talkies as campus responders;
• Assist with de-escalation per High Point Training;
• Participation in staff meetings and education conferences;
• Record interactions and observations about the patients behavior and communicate verbally to nursing or clinical staff any pertinent information and participates in treatment team as required;
• Participate in rehabilitative aspects of patient care including crafts and recreational activities;
• Perform housekeeping duties as needed and/or as directed by the Nurse / Supervisor or Designee;
• Assist in the admission and discharge procedure including completion of necessary paperwork;
• Conduct room and bag searches when indicated;
• Attend mandatory trainings and meetings;
• Utilizes standards precautions at all times;
• Demonstrates behaviors that recognize the rights of patients as defined by the patient rights;
• Attends required meetings, mandatory trainings, and maintains competencies;
• Performs all Mental Health Worker duties as necessary;
• All other duties as assigned by the MHW Supervisor, Nurse Manager and/or Clinical Program Director.

Mental Health Specialist Qualifications:

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent GED required;
• Bachelors Degree in health and human services field preferred;
• Experience in behavioral health treatment, substance abuse treatment, or a closely related field preferred;
• Peer Certified or Recovery Coach Training preferred or willing to be trained within 6 months of hire.

High Point is excited to be growing and expanding behavioral health services in the Brockton Community for patients experiencing acute behavioral health crisis seeking services as part of two bedded program initiatives.  

High Point is participating in an exciting first of its kind pilot project with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to offer a new inpatient psychiatric program in the Brockton community. The High Point Short Term Assessment Evaluation and Treatment Unit will provide brief assessment, treatment initiation, and disposition planning for individuals seeking treatment for acute behavioral health needs for a period of up to 72 hours. Patients will be referred for inpatient behavioral health services by the local emergency department, community mobile crisis services or Brockton CBHC.  

As part of the Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) initiative, Brockton High Point will also be hiring for multiple positions under this new pilot program to ensure 24/7/365 program operations. Individuals hired will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of professionals includes licensed clinicians, Master’s level clinicians, certified peer specialists, patient resource navigators, mental health specialists, nursing, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, medical physicians, and psychologists. The goal of the pilot project will be to ensure patients seeking acute behavioral health services are able to initiate treatment and transitioned to an appropriate program within 72 hours of admission. Disposition planning will include transfers to inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, Adult Community Crisis Stabilization (ACCS), outpatient and community based diversionary services.  

Benefits 

• Medical Insurance  
• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance  
• Long & short term disability 
• Discounted auto/home and renters insurance  
• 403b - Retirement 
• FSA & DCA 
• PFML 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Bonuses & Referral 
• Eligibility for free classes to become a Licensed Counselor or Recovery Coach 
• Education days to use towards CEU's 
• Opportunities for loan forgiveness 
• Unmatched Leave Time (FT employees can earn up to 3 weeks in first year) 

About Us 

High Point & Affiliated Organizations is a health and human service agency whose mission is to prevent and treat substance use and mental health disorders. High Point has programs located throughout Southeastern Massachusetts offering a full continuum of care for substance use and mental health treatment, including inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services. Programs and services also assist survivors of abuse, violence, and families experiencing homelessness. High Point believes that everyone has inherent goodness, worth, and dignity. Our goal is to help individuals and families achieve personal change and improve their quality of life.