Direct Service Worker

Advocates; Northborough (MA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocates is seeking a Direct Service Worker to join our team in a hands-on, client-centered role. The position supports residents with mental health and substance use challenges, collaborates with a multidisciplinary team, and follows individualized plans to boost independence and community integration.

The role involves supervising daily activities, providing ongoing guidance, and participating in treatment planning and meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree; or High School Diploma or equivalent degree and one year of related experience.
• Experience in Behavioral Health setting preferred.
• Ability to communicate clearly with residents and team members.

Responsibilities

• Participate in development of treatment plans and attend weekly staff meetings.
• Document progress toward treatment plans and daily notes.
• Provide supervision, guidance, and role modeling to residents.
• Assist with medication management and daily living activities.
• Support residents in community integration and goal achievement.
• Maintain a clean, safe, home-like environment for residents.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Computer basics

Team collaboration

Cultural competence

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

None

Job description

Schedule: Sunday-Thursday 2pm-10pm

Come join the Advocates team as a Direct Service Worker! In this entry-level role, you will support individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges. As a Direct Service Worker, you will work collaboratively on a team to supervise the daily activities of program residents. You will provide ongoing support, guidance, and role modeling to program residents, following individualized plans to increase independence and achieve goals. You will also be responsible for medication management, assisting with finances, and helping residents integrate into the community.

Overview

Starting Rate: $18.50/hour

Who We Are

At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges.

We’re a nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives. Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated.

At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of employees and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where everyone can grow and thrive.

Minimum Education Required

High School Diploma/GED

Responsibilities

• Participate in the development of treatment plans and attend other treatment meetings, including weekly staff meetings.
• Document progress towards treatment plans.
• Perform interventions with clients that address their identified goals and result in skill development.
• Provide linkage with other program staff and other service providers.
• Communicate program participant’s progress, mental status, and any changes in daily notes.
• Provide ongoing support, guidance, role modeling and supervision to clients.
• Identify and address community integration issues for clients with supervisor’s direction.
• Monitor and document medication administration.
• Ensure a clean, safe and home-like environment for clients.
• Remain alert at all times throughout scheduled work shift.
• Ensure all paperwork, reports, trainings are up to date and completed within the Divisions expected timelines
• Attend and actively participate in core training and maintain certification of required trainings (CPR/First Aid, Crisis Management, MAP).
• Provide crisis intervention and access emergency services as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree; or High School Diploma or equivalent degree and one year of related experience.
• Experience working in the Behavioral Health Field
• Excellent interpersonal, judgement and coaching skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to utilize basic computer applications.
• Desire to thrive in a fast-paced, client-centered, team-oriented environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Must hold a valid driver's license, have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport clients.
• Strongly prefer a candidate that will have a demonstrated understanding of and competence in serving culturally diverse populations.

Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.