The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking dynamic candidates who will provide direct nursing care services with an emphasis on health & wellness, and medication teaching at the RAFT program. This position will monitor/update physician orders, dispenses medication, and documents all clinical medication issues. In addition, this position performs assessments, treatment planning and care provision (e.g., psychosocial support, psychoeducation, facilitating groups, and performing care coordination activities to ensure continuity of care) in accordance with physicians’ instructions.

Registered Nurses treat all patients with dignity and respect through interactions which affirm the individual’s needs and preferences and by optimally integrating their perspective into all facets of care.

Please Note: This position is full-time (40 hours per week), evening shift, 1pm to 9:30pm with Saturday and Sunday off.

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

• Functions as Fenwood Inn liaison for clients regarding clinical issues and follow up with providers during the day shift.
• Provides nursing administrative assistance for referrals to the RAFT program and to the Fenwood Inn.
• Provides direct nursing care including medication administration, taking vital signs, doing scheduled medical treatment, and counseling the clients.
• Communicates with clinicians on clinically significant issues or changes and documents them in appropriate areas.
• Performs emergency assessment and evaluation of a clients in crisis, develops a crisis intervention plan with staff and if necessary, consults with B.E.S.T. team if they deem a client in need of an evaluation.
• Collaborates with other departments of MMHC, DMH and other agencies, community programs and social services. Communicates with clients, families, significant others, and other professionals to advocate on behalf of the client’s treatment goals.
• Responsible for outreach and engagement efforts with persons served in the clinics to help ensure medication adherence and monitoring.
• Provides patient education to support medication adherence including information about possible side effects of new medications as well as potential medication interactions.
• Plans and leads or co-leads a wide range of wellness-focused, recovery-oriented groups, as assigned, including but not limited to medication teaching as well as those addressing issues such as nutrition, weight management, medication education, smoking cessation, etc.
• Responsible for helping to triage any psychiatric and/or medical crises that may arise at RAFT, the Fenwood Inn or other programs at MMHC.
• Assesses and evaluate each client seen for psychiatric and medical issues and reports any significant changes/concerns to clinical team.
• Develops and maintains appropriate therapeutic relationships with clients demonstrating adaptability in response to client preferences and changing needs, documenting that such concerns have been passed on.
• Assists in preparing and obtaining physician orders.
• Assists in the completion of supplemental/alternative medication payment applications on behalf of indigent and/or uninsured clients to ensure the clients can receive the prescribed medication.
• Monitors supply utilization and follows established procedure with respect to inventory management and established procedures for ensuring replenishment of supplies.
• Responsible for ensuring that all documentation for assigned persons served is completed in a timely fashion in accordance with billing, DMH, and MMHC’s standards, policies, and procedures, meeting 100% of DMH, MMHC and third-party legal requirements for quality assurance and utilization review.
• Follows agency risk mitigation policies and procedures with respect to reporting any significant event/incident and ensures the completion of all associated required documentation.
• Notifies billing or medical records departments of any changes in client insurance or demographic status.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Capacity to perform basic mathematics.
• Proven ability to gather information through observing and questioning individuals.
• Talent for communicating effectively in oral expression, writing clearly and concisely, and developing ideas in logical sequence.
• Skilled in interacting with people who are under emotional stress with the ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful or emergency situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with individuals with serious, persistent mental illness, substance abuse and/or who have experienced homelessness.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

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.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #2

• Recent graduates from an approved school of nursing must have applied for the first available registered nurse examination.

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!

Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.

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% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.