• Job Description

  Req#: 789908
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  The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a dynamic, highly organized, mission driven individual to fill the role of Northern Region Clinical Mental Health Specialist. DCF seeks dedicated child welfare professionals committed to fundamentally strengthening the agency’s child welfare practice. This manager will work with the Mental Health Specialty unit director and Regional leadership to ensure a comprehensive mental and behavioral health delivery system for the Northern Region. This position will require interagency and community stakeholder collaboration and communication. The Regional Mental Health Specialist will work to support the DCF Area Offices in the Northern Region relative to mental and behavioral health needs for the children and families DCF serves. This position reports to the Director of Mental Health through Central Office DCF in Boston MA. The physical location of this position is in the Northern Regional DCF office in Lawrence MA. This is a hybrid telework position. DCF’s Mental Health Specialty unit consists of 1 Regional Mental Health Specialist and 1 Regional Mental Health Coordinator in each of the 5 regions. Join a dynamic and supportive clinical team unit to support the needs of the children and families DCF serves and provides clinical expertise to DCF field staff.

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

  · Managerial responsibilities for the Regional Mental Health Coordinator position. This includes supervision, training (on-going and initial), hiring and on-boarding responsibilities, performance review oversight and supporting professional development.

  · Participate in ongoing mental/behavioral health projects and grants.

  · Participate as part of the Mental Health Unit to assist in shaping policy and providing best practice guidelines to the field.

  · Responsible for the over-all coordination and utilization review and management of the behavioral health care needs of children in the custody/care of the Department, with a primary focus of meeting the needs of the children placed in acute care settings.

  · Participate in clinical team meetings with acute care providers and in the development and the execution of clinical treatment plans, as well as coordinate appropriate discharge planning, e.g., transitioning to placement, arranging for psychopharmacology follow-up, arranging for out-patient care in the community etc.

  · Work closely with DCF Central, Regional, and Area Offices and inter-agency staff involved with the care of these children.

  · Provide clinical consultation on child and family specific mental/behavioral health needs with DCF Regional and Area Office staff.

  · Meet weekly with the Director of Mental Health and as requested with the Regional Clinical Director and/or Regional Director

  · Maintain communication with Regional and Area Office Leadership relative to pertinent guidance and information about the Massachusetts Mental Health system.

  · Assist in the development and maintenance of region-wide statistical collection and tracking system (Utilization review) including updating the virtual gateway and weekly reporting on CARD (Children Awaiting Resolution of Disposition).

  · Develop, in conjunction with appropriate internal and external staff, DCF protocols, procedures, and policies as they relate to the behavioral health care needs/issues of children in the custody/care of the agency.

  · Participate in clinical team meetings for DCF children at acute care facilities, and Department of Mental Health (DMH) inpatient units and IRTPs when indicated.

  · Take the lead in coordinating and implementing treatment and discharge plans that reflect the commitment to placement of children into the least restrictive settings.

  · Coordinate and collaborate with key stakeholders in the continuum of care service delivery system, including Community Based mental and Behavioral health providers, Department of Mental Health, MassHealth, and the MassHealth Managed Care Vendor.

  · Participate in regional interagency clinical team with DMH and DCF child psychiatrist, MBHP regional staff, DCF Regional/Area Office staff, and other relevant entities to review complicated cases and develop clinical plans.

  Preferred Qualifications:

  · A Master’s degree in human services, social work, psychology or a related field.

  · Clinically licensed social worker (LCSW/LICSW), LMHC or licensed eligible.

  · Ideal candidate will have at least three years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience working with individuals impacted by mental/behavioral health needs and/or providing mental/behavioral health services.

  · Experience with cross-systems collaboration.

  · Ability to manage multiple job tasks and set priorities.

  · Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication abilities, both written and in person.

  · Capacity to interact effectively with individuals at all levels within an organization.

  · Demonstrated knowledge of child protection work, parental capacities and risk assessment.

  · Demonstrated understanding of the dynamics of children’s mental health issues and psychopharmacology, as well as a thorough knowledge of the system of children’s mental health care and service provision.

  · Understanding and experience in behavioral health managed care, ability to formulate clinical treatment plans and crisis planning.

  · Robust and demonstrated understanding of child welfare practice principles and the impact of adverse childhood experiences.

  · Demonstrated skill in problem solving, consensus building, conflict resolution, advocacy, and team building and ability to accomplish work objectives where few precedents or guidelines may exist.

  · Understanding of the mental and behavioral health system in Massachusetts and how children and families can access support services.

  · Knowledge of navigating the acute care system for children in Massachusetts.

  · Knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed approaches in child welfare, including the Strengthening Family’s Framework, parental capacities, and impact of secondary traumatic stress.

  About the Department of Children and Families:

  The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education.

  DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by: stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and, 6) committed to continuous learning.

  For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf

  Pre-Hire Process:

  A criminal and tax history 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 and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

  As part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

  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, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

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  MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

  Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

  Substitutions:

  I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

  II. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

  III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

  IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

  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!

  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.

• About the company

  Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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