<p>The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking an organized and dynamic individual for the position of Human Services Coordinator I to join The Massachusetts Mental Health Center (MMHC) team. The Human Service Coordinator I provides assessment, outreach, support, service coordination and person centered advocacy to DMH authorized adults by promoting DMH's philosophy of recovery, trauma informed care, person-centered choices, and cultural humility by utilizing strength-based goal setting and through independent decision-making. This position is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of individual service plans; as well as assisting individuals in securing services and performs all duties to reflect the highest level of dignity for persons served.</p> <p>Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):</p> <ul> <li> <p>Provides creative engagement strategies including regularly scheduled face-to-face contact in accordance with the needs of the person served, family and other community providers to engage and sustain involvement in attaining the individual's goals and maintaining community tenure.</p> </li><li> <p>Directly provides assistance and support with, but not limited to, housing search, employment search, skill development, symptom management, wellness management, and encourages active participation in treatment by developing positive therapeutic relationship.</p> </li><li> <p>Regularly schedules visits occur in the client's home or usual place of residence, as appropriate, and monitors safety of the environment.</p> </li><li> <p>Prepares and maintains documentation according to DMH regulations and Electronic Health Record (EHR) business rules including progress notes and other required documentation.</p> </li><li> <p>Creates a comprehensive assessment of individual needs in accordance with DMH regulations and timelines by interviewing the individual, family &/or LAR, significant others; obtaining records; gathering relevant written and verbal information from past & current service providers in order to determine the service needs.</p> </li><li> <p>Implements, and monitors the individual service plan (ISP) per DMH regulations and timelines with the individual and service providers; convenes and facilitates meetings to review and modify the ISP, when indicated.</p> </li><li> <p>Develops a critical needs assessment of individual needs and a critical needs plan in accordance with DMH regulations and timelines for designated individuals receiving Critical Needs Case Management. Interviews the individual, family &/or LAR and</p> </li><li> <p>significant others, obtains records, gathers relevant written and verbal information from past and current service providers in order to determine the critical service needs.</p> </li><li> <p>Conducts in person screenings and needs & means assessments to identify need for services, respond to requests for interim services and recommend &/or refer to services as appropriate.</p> </li><li> <p>Refers individuals for specialized assessments and to programs and services, including entitlements, that are indicated by the Comprehensive Assessment and ISP.</p> </li><li> <p>Monitors and ensure that services and entitlements are in place and meeting the individual's identified needs.</p> </li><li> <p>Coordinates transitions by facilitating communication with providers and families to ensure individual is receiving needed services in a timely manner.</p> </li><li> <p>Directly engages with individual throughout all housing and care settings (inpatient, jail, shelters, SNF, etc) to ensure access to needed services, coordination and communication among service providers and to facilitate efficient transitions &/or diversions.</p> </li><li> <p>Leads discharge planning & service coordination activities to support community transitions or diversion of individuals to ensure a smooth transition to the community.</p> </li><li> <p>Links individuals to appropriate agencies & organizations to meet individual needs identified through the ISP process and ensure that necessary services are provided in the least restrictive environment.</p> </li><li> <p>Participates in utilization management reviews to monitor efficient use of resources.</p> </li><li> <p>Identifies historic & current risk factors of assigned individuals and collaborates with the individual, Supervisor, crisis intervention services, & service providers to facilitate and participate in appropriate assessment and planning.</p> </li><li> <p>Facilitates and participates in the development of plans to address risk & safety for assigned individuals according to DMH protocol and policy.</p> </li><li> <p>Completes screenings and may complete assessments (e.g. suicide, substance use, etc) as needed and according to DMH protocols and policies.</p> </li><li> <p>Responds to and manage crises by providing face-to-face or telehealth contact when appropriate. Engages in direct communication with Mobile Crisis Intervention (MCI), Behavioral Health Helpline &/or 911; completes necessary alerts with MCI; ensures communication with Supervisor and all other appropriate parties.</p> </li><li> <p>Provides and/or arranges for transportation to ensure individual has access to needed services.</p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrates cultural humility through knowledge and sensitivity to age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender and sexual orientation of the individuals served.</p> </li><li> <p>Responds to inquiries & concerns from the general public including: municipal, housing and public safety officials, community agencies, etc. Ensures responses comply with DMH and HIPPA confidentiality requirements.</p> </li><li> <p>Develops skills and competencies by completing mandatory trainings and attending other skill development trainings.</p> </li><li> <p>Other duties as assigned.</p> </li></ul> <p>Required Qualifications:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Experienced with mental health, i.e., psychosocial problems of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of and ability to work within the Department of Mental Health's mission of recovery and person-centered planning.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.</p> </li><li> <p>Considerable ability to work independently on assignments, manage time and respond to multiple demands by effectively prioritizing tasks.</p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrated skills in the development of helpful and supportive relationships with persons assigned for case management services.</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of basic clinical skills of crisis intervention and risk management.</p> </li><li> <p>Familiarity with the types of community programs and services available to individuals living with mental illness.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to effectively organize and run meetings and case conferences to promote collaboration and information sharing.</p> </li><li> <p>Skilled in evaluating and maintaining accurate records.</p> </li><li> <p>Able to work cooperatively and effectively with clients, provider staff, and community partners.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to travel for job-related purposes required.</p> </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Knowledge of Statewide Case Management Individual Service Plan Manual and DMH regulations.</p> </li><li> <p>Basic knowledge of DSM Diagnostic criteria and primary psychiatric medications.</p> </li><li> <p>Proficiency in the utilization of the Electronic Health Record</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of the special needs of the adult population.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to understand, support and implement the principles of race, equity, and inclusion.</p> </li><li> <p>Able to make constructive use of professional supervision and accept feedback.</p> </li><li> <p>Knowledge of the spiritual and cultural needs of the clients served.</p> </li></ul> <p>DMH Mission Statement:</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Pre-Offer Process:</p> <p>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</p> <p>Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>ADA Reasonable Accommodation:</p> <p>If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests</p> <p>For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4.</p> <p>First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.</p> <p>Applicants must have (A) at least three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional experience in human services work or social work or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.</p> <p>Substitutions:</p> <p>I. A Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.</p> <p>Based on assignment, travel may be required. Incumbents who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.</p> <p>Based on assignment as Qualified Intellectual Disabled Professionals, within the Department of Developmental Services, a Bachelor's degree or higher in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, human services, rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, nursing, recreation therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, physical education or other a related field is required.</p> <p>Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.</p> <p>Comprehensive Benefits</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!</p> <p>Title 101 CMR 23.00 ("Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.</p> <p>An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.</p> <p>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.</p>