Clinical Social Worker (D)

The Massachusetts Mental Health Center seeks an energetic, flexible clinician for the role of Assistant Shelter Director (Clinical Social Worker D) for the Fenwood Inn Shelter.  This important role provides clinical leadership for a 41 bed shelter that serves clients with serious and persistent mental illness, substance abuse and/or who have experienced homelessness. The Assistant Shelter Director works collaboratively with shelter guests and multidisciplinary teams, and provides supervision for staff in a challenging, fast-paced environment. This position assists the Shelter Director in providing clinical, administrative, and operational oversight for the Shelter, ensuring that the program operates in accordance with DMH regulations, policies, procedures, directives, the agency mission, and goals. This position also assists with the admission and intake process, maintains linkages to internal and external service systems ensuring that there is effective communication with DMH sites, Homeless Outreach Teams, and providers. 

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

• Assists program director in overall management and operations of the shelter.
• Provide ongoing support to families and/or others to maintain and/or build natural supports in the community.
• Meets with clients and their identified supports to facilitate successful and timely transitions to community placements.
• Assess crisis situations, mediate interpersonal conflict, and provide clinical intervention to ensure safety of clients, staff, and the rest of the shelter community.
• Works closely with clients, ACCS, Case-managers, clinical and medical providers to assist clients in meeting their clinical, medical and recovery goals.
• Collaborates with Shelter Director and site leadership taking an active role mitigating risk and addressing any violence at the shelter. Provides crisis intervention and post crisis review and analysis with staff. 
• Provides ongoing documentation in client’s record, log, interagency housing minutes; responsible for closing and completing discharge information, discharge summary, communicating with site/provider, closing the chart.
• Plans and implements orientation program for new staff and assists in screening and hiring of such staff.
• Provides weekly supervision and ongoing consultation to assigned staff.
• Orientation of all new staff, ongoing training/staff education. Provides training in evidence based and best practices i.e., harm reduction, trauma informed care and motivational interviewing.
• Collaborates with and supports ACCS and Case Management to ensure clinical intervention, care, and coordination and referral services are provided to clients struggling with substance abuse/misuse.
• Provides direct care to clients as needed and provides coverage as a part of the staffing pattern when indicated.  
• Initiate and orchestrate section 12 evaluations of clients in crisis.
• Attends meetings and trainings.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Required Qualifications:

•        Ability to establish and maintain positive, respectful, and professional relationships with all staff and clients.
•        Solid leadership and managerial skills.
•        Able to work in a collaborative and productive manner to achieve programmatic and agency goals.
•        Knowledge of mandated reporting requirements for Elder Services, DCF and DPPC.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of available community resources, both public and private, including but not limited to, residential, rehabilitative, vocational, educational, and treatment options for the target population. 
• Familiar with entitlement programs.
• Experience with the laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing the Department of Mental Health as a whole.

Please Note: This is a full time, in person position, 40 hours per week shift, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday off. This position provides compensated stand by pay if required.

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health 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.

Pre-Offer 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 http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

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.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: 

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: At least three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience as a clinical social worker after earning a Master's degree in social work.  Based on assignment to second-level supervisory positions, at least one year of experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.  

SUBSTITUTIONS:   

-  A Doctorate in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education, or human services may be substituted for the required nonsupervisory experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.   

-  No substitution will be permitted for the required supervisory experience.  One year of education equals 30 semester hours.  Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.   

REQUIRED EDUCATION:  

A Master's or higher degree in social work is required.  

LICENSES:  

-  Licensure as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Social Work is required.  

-  Based on assignment, travel may be required.  Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.

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 23.00 (“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.