Senior Mental Health Specialist

State of Vermont; Berlin (VT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

Generous leave plan

FMLI (Family & Medical Leave Insurance

State pension plan

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The State of Vermont, Department of Mental Health, is seeking a Senior Mental Health Specialist for the night shift at Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital. The role involves planning and delivering care for individuals with mental illness as part of a multidisciplinary team under supervision of psychiatric nurses.

Ideal candidates will have inpatient mental health experience and relevant degrees, with flexibility for overtime and background checks.

Qualifications

• One (1) year or more as a VPCH Associate Mental Health Specialist AND completion of VPCH Training Academy or equivalent.
• Five (5) years or more of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting.
• Associates degree in a human services field plus three (3) years of inpatient mental health experience.
• Bachelor's degree in a human services field plus two (2) years of inpatient mental health experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver care and treatment for individuals with mental illness.
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team.
• Assist in coordinating transportation of patients when needed.
• Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Inpatient mental health experience

Physical stamina

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in a human services field

Associates degree in a human services field

Job description

Overview

The State of Vermont's Department of Mental Health is currently seeking a Senior Mental Health Specialist on night shift. Senior Mental Health Specialists duties involve specialized technical level work involving the planning and delivery of care and treatment of individuals with a mental illness at Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital. An incumbent will serve as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team in an assigned program area, under the general supervision of psychiatric nurses. Senior Mental Health Specialists differ from Mental Health Specialists and Associate Mental Health Specialists with assigned duties of a more complex technical level requiring specialized patient care knowledge. There is considerable interaction with social workers, psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, patients, families, visitors, and treatment personnel from other facilities. 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, strength-based relationships, and results orientation.

Who May Apply

This position, Senior Mental Health Specialist (Job Requisition #53963), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

If you would like more information about this position, please contact [e-mail].

Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

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

• One (1) year or more as a VPCH Associate Mental Health Specialist AND demonstrated successful completion of the VPCH Training Academy or equivalent.
• OR
• Five (5) years or more of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting.
• OR
• Associates degree in a human services field AND three (3) years of work experience in an inpatient mental health setting.
• OR
• Bachelor's degree in a human services field and two (2) years 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.
• 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.
• Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. 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, apart from those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.
• 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

• 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

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

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.