Massachusetts Veterans Jobs

The Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH), part of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH), is seeking dynamic Family Support Specialists. As a vital member of our team, you will play an essential role in fostering recovery and well-being for families served by WRCH. Your responsibilities include providing unwavering advocacy and support to the families of adolescent patients throughout their journey, ensuring a seamless transition from admission to discharge. By offering individual peer support and facilitating support groups, you will empower family members with valuable recovery tools and skills. Your commitment extends beyond direct support, as you actively engage in community research to identify necessary services, acting as a bridge to connect families with the resources they need. In collaboration with clinical teams and external advocates, you will champion the development of self-advocacy skills, ensuring the holistic needs of families and their children are met. Your role also involves contributing to multi-service community-based plans, attending meetings and committees, and actively participating in discharge planning to facilitate a successful transition from inpatient to outpatient care. Your personal recovery experience will be a beacon of understanding, aiding staff in navigating the challenges and abilities of those we serve. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and families, embracing a recovery-oriented approach with compassion, empathy, and advocacy at its core. _Please Note:_*The schedule for these positions is Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday as the days off.* _Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive)_: * * Provide comprehensive advocacy and support to family members of adolescent patients from admission to discharge. * Offer individual peer support and facilitate peer support groups for families, equipping them with essential recovery tools. * Conduct thorough research on community services to identify and connect families with relevant resources to enhance recovery. * Deliver training sessions to families, focusing on recovery principles, skills, and wellness management. * Advocate for consumers and families, fostering the development of self-advocacy skills and collaborating with clinical teams and external advocates. * Facilitate the development of multi-service community-based plans, ensuring access to clinical and non-clinical services for family members. * Actively participate in case conferences, family meetings, and discharge planning, providing valuable input on patients' progress and family concerns. * Support social integration by linking families to a broad range of community-based services and natural support systems. * Contribute to the consumer's treatment team, assisting families in communicating effectively with the treatment team. * Provide staff training on the family perspective of treatment, recovery-oriented practices, and trauma-informed care, utilizing personal recovery experience to enhance understanding. * Strong communication, interpersonal, and reasoning skills. * Excellent advocacy, judgement, and problem-solving skills. * Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team, as well as independently. * Strong de-escalation skills including the ability to maintain a calm manner and interact appropriately with others in emotionally charged or stressful situations. * Ability to build and maintain trusting working relationships and discretion when handling confidential information. * Ability to understand and support individuals impacted by diverse forms of discrimination and poverty. * Knowledge of the principles and practices in strength-based, person-centered services. * Knowledge of recovery principles and stages of recovery. * Understanding of the organization and functions of WRCH and community mental health programs. * Proficiency with MS Office including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. * Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency. *_About Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WHRC):_ Located on over 100 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) is part of an integrated network of effective, efficient and culturally competent mental health services. It provides intermediate and long-term inpatient care for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who live in Massachusetts, as well as individuals requiring specialized court ordered evaluations. WRCH provides inpatient services to 290 adults, inclusive of a Deaf Inpatient Mental Health Service, and 30 adolescents on the ACCU. _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-Hire 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 Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 EXT 4. This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and Peer certification through a recognized Certified Specialist Program. Based on assignment to a Family Support Specialist position applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of an approved Professional Parent Advisory League (PAL) entry-level training as a Family Support Specialist. Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment. *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! 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. 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. Job: Community and Social Services* *Organization: Department of Mental Health *Title: *Family Support Specialist - Adolescent Services Location: Massachusetts-Worcester - 309 Belmont Street Requisition ID: 2400043G