Human Services Coordinator I, Acton Site Office

Human Services Coordinator I, Acton Site Office

The Department of Mental Health (DMH), Acton Site Office is seeking qualified professionals for the position of Human Service Coordinator I to promote services that are clinically appropriate, least restrictive and delivered close to home. The services are designed to be strength-based, recovery-oriented and culturally/linguistically competent. The selected candidate advocates for client's rights with all community providers, agencies, families, court systems, employers, and significant others to ensure that client's rights are recognized and respected. This is a unique opportunity to perform important and meaningful work with great people at a beautiful location! The Human Service Coordinator I will promote each client's recovery through the planning and implementing of a well-coordinated array of services, treatments, and benefits based on the client's preferences, strengths, and needs and on the availability of resources. This is a full-time, 40 hours per week position and the incumbent will work a schedule from 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. with Saturday and Sunday as days off.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides direct care to clients as well as others by helping obtain needed services to enable clients to transition to or remain in the community by enhancing their quality of life.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population of clients.
• Maintains each client record with needed information to assure a complete and up-to-date record of services is always available.
• Enters all Mental Health Information System (MHIS) information in a timely and accurate manner.
• Coordinates the ISP (Individual Support process) with clients and service providers, convening meetings to write or modify the ISP when indicated; assures implementation of ISP and plans.
• Chairs periodic treatment team meetings participate in client review meetings such as discharge planning, program client reviews, team meetings, and staff meetings to monitor client service plans and make recommendations for other services that will meet client needs.
• Provides supportive counseling to clients and/or significant others to identify, accept and secure services.
• Provides direct assistance to clients as needed to enhance independent living skills.
• Provides or arranges appropriate transportation for clients, when necessary, to assure clients get to needed appointments.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with community agencies and other state programs and agencies to identify unmet needs and to effectively access a comprehensive range of services for clients.
• Provides needed information and education about mental illness, medications, coping skills, services, resources, and self-help groups to individuals with service inquiries.
• Attends trainings to expand clinical knowledge and develops expertise related to mental health issues.
• Carries out job duties in a professional manner by exhibiting a positive attitude and adapts to changes in philosophy, policy, and procedure in a flexible manner.
• Effectively prepares for and uses supervision to process and resolve client issues or concerns.
• Assure that HIPPA regulations are adhered to and that HIPPA sign offs, and releases of information are in the client record.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of clients' needs, and characteristics associated with DMH Priority clients.
• Knowledge of local community resources plus knowledge of and ability to work within agency political contexts.
• Skills in making productive referrals, negotiating assertively from an advocacy-based client centered perspective with a variety of public service agency professionals.
• Ability to work non-judgmentally with clients whose belief system may be predicated on values incongruent with those of the Case Manager.
• Articulates clearly and concisely both in verbal and written modes.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of crisis intervention and risk management.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to respond to multiple demands by effectively prioritizing tasks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong and effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen well, relate to others and demonstrate sensitivity and respect for individuals.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse population with cultural competence and sensitivity, as well as the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies with diplomacy and tact.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Valid driver's license.
• Given the population served bilingual or multilingual fluency.

Working Conditions:

• This position travels to meet with clients and family members outside the office in various settings such as homes, hospitals, programs, and other accessible community settings. Candidates will need access to a reliable motor vehicle for transportation.

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. 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.

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.

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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.