Associate Mental Health Specialist

State of Vermont; Berlin (VT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Vermont's Department of Mental Health seeks an Associate Mental Health Specialist on Night Shift. This role involves learning complex duties, interacting with a broad care team, and maintaining a therapeutic milieu for clients.

Overtime and physical exam requirements are part of the job. Applicants must meet minimum qualifications including relevant degrees or extensive inpatient mental health experience.

Qualifications

• Two years or more as a VPCH Mental Health Specialist.
• Successful completion of the VPCH Training Academy or equivalent.
• Four years or more of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting.
• Associates degree in a human services field and two years or more of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting.
• Bachelor's degree in human services AND one year or more of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting.

Responsibilities

• Promote and maintain an appropriate therapeutic milieu for clients.
• Interact with unit staff, social workers, psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, patients, families, visitors, and treatment personnel from other facilities.
• Demonstrate positive role modeling and communicate professionally and respectfully.
• Transportation of individuals with a mental illness to other treatment facilities as needed.
• Perform duties in line with four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships, and results orientation.

Education

Two years or more as a VPCH Mental Health Specialist

Successful completion of the VPCH Training Academy or equivalent

Four years or more of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting

Associates degree in a human services field and two years or more of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting

Bachelor's degree in human services AND one year or more of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting

Job description

The State of Vermont's Department of Mental Health is currently seeking Associate Mental Health Specialists on Night Shift. Associate Mental Health Specialists will be given opportunities to learn the complex duties of the delegation and unit leadership and demonstrate their ability to carry out those duties. There is considerable interaction with unit staff, social workers, psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, patients, families, visitors, and treatment personnel from other facilities. The Associate Mental Health Specialist demonstrates positive role modeling when interacting with these groups in promoting and maintaining an appropriate therapeutic milieu for clients. Consistently communicates in a professional, respectful manner. Work may include transportation of individuals with a mental illness to other treatment facilities with significant interaction with staff of other clinical service units. All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships, and results orientation.

• This position is eligible for full retirement after 20 years of service in eligible positions in recognition of the challenges of front-line mental health work.

Who May Apply

This position, Associate Mental Health Specialist (Job Requisition #53798), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

Environmental Factors

Incumbents may be assigned to any DMH Treatment facility and any shift. Employees regularly interact with patients experiencing serious mental illness, who present with various levels of risk to self or others - assaultive behavior, elopement risk, self-harm; and may be exposed to infectious diseases and caustic detergents.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two (2) years or more as a VPCH Mental Health Specialist.
• Demonstrated successful completion of the VPCH Training Academy or equivalent.
• Four (4) years or more of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting.
• Associates degree in a human services field and two (2) years or more of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting.
• Bachelor's degree in human services AND one (1) year or more of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Successful work experience in an inpatient psychiatric or community psychiatric care setting, successful completion of patient care related trainings and/ or education is preferred.

Special Requirements

• Mental and physical condition appropriate to successfully perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, the essential job functions.
• Overtime work may be required to maintain safe staffing levels and is considered a condition of employment. The ability to work overtime as required is considered an essential function of this job class.
• Successful completion of a physical examination that includes movement and weightlifting testing, provided at a DMH preferred clinic, is required for this position.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.