Senior Mental Health Specialist

The State of Vermont's Department of Mental Health is currently seeking Senior Mental Health Specialists on both day and 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, strengths-based relationships, and results orientation.

**This position is eligible for full retirement after 20 years of service in eligible positions in recognition of the challenges of front-line mental health work. More information can be found here.

This position,Senior Mental Health Specialist (Job Requisition #51089), is open to all State employees and external applicants.
If you would like more information about this position, please contactstephanie.s.shaw@vermont.gov.
Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.
Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

Candidates, including current State employees seeking transfer, promotion, demotion, or persons exercising re-employment rights, must pass a fingerprint supported background investigation applicable to the position. Additionally, 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. Hiring managers will notify applicants who are in the final stage of the interview process of the finger-printing and background check requirement, to which an applicant must agree to be deemed eligible for this position. Applicants will have the right to withdraw their applications before finger-printing and/or a background investigation is conducted.

Please Note: This position is open until filled. The State of Vermont posts vacancies for a minimum of ten business days. Positions posted as open until filled can be removed at any time after the initial ten day period. After the initial posting period, departments may begin interviewing and may close the posting without notice.

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.

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.

Successful work experience in an inpatient psychiatric or community psychiatric care setting, successful completion of patient care related trainings and/ or education is preferred.

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.

Successful completion of a physical examination that includes movement and weightlifting testing, provided at a DMH preferred clinic, is required for this position.

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 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.