Associate Mental Health Specialist

State of Vermont; Berlin (VT); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical premium

Dental plan

Holidays

Leave plan

FMLI

Pension plan

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible spending

Life insurance

Wellness program

Public service loan forgiveness

Job summary

The State of Vermont's Department of Mental Health seeks an Associate Mental Health Specialist for Night Shift. The role offers learning of complex duties, interaction with diverse clinical staff, and a focus on maintaining an appropriate therapeutic milieu for clients.

Candidates may have an associates or bachelor’s in human services with inpatient MH experience; a VPCH Training Academy background is preferred and overtime may be required.

Qualifications

• Two years+ as VPCH Mental Health Specialist.
• Completed VPCH Training Academy or equivalent.
• Four+ years in inpatient mental health setting.
• Associate degree in human services with 2+ years inpatient experience.
• Bachelor's degree in human services with 1+ year inpatient experience.

Responsibilities

• Learn complex duties of the delegation and unit leadership.
• Interact with unit staff, social workers, psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, patients, families, visitors and treatment personnel to promote therapeutic milieu.

Skills

VPCH Mental Health Specialist

Inpatient experience

VPCH Training Academy

Education

Associates degree in human services

Bachelor's degree in human services

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.

Candidates, including current State employees seeking transfer, promotion, demotion, or persons exercising re-employment rights, must pass a fingerprint supported background investigation applicable to the position. Additionally, in accordance with AHS Policy 4.02 - Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates. Hiring managers will notify applicants who are in the final stage of the interview process of the finger-printing and background check requirement, to which an applicant must agree to be deemed eligible for this position. Applicants will have the right to withdraw their applications before finger-printing and/or a background investigation is conducted.

Please Note: This position is open until filled. The State of Vermont posts vacancies for a minimum of ten business days. Positions posted as open until filled can be removed at any time after the initial ten day period. After the initial posting period, departments may begin interviewing and may close the posting without notice.

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: 11 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.