Job Description

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a dynamic human service professional to serve as an Inpatient Clinical Social Worker and Long-Term Care Coordinator in a fast-moving, exciting, and rewarding environment. This professional will provide direct care in the DMH-run inpatient psychiatric hospital units of the Metro Boston Mental Health Units (MBMHU) within Lemuel Shattuck Hospital. The incumbent of this position will provide high quality and timely assessment, treatment planning and implementation, and discharge planning to an assigned caseload of patients who carry diagnoses of serious, persistent mental illness (SPMI). In addition, a small portion of this individual's time will be dedicated to coordinating transfers of patients to skilled nursing facilities as needed and as appropriate. The ideal candidate is a team player who is eager to learn, has excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and is compassionate, flexible, and creative.

Please note:

This is a full-time, 40 hour position. The hours are 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday as the days off.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and is not all-inclusive):

Provides direct clinical care and care coordination services to assigned caseload
Provides concise and diagnostically accurate psychosocial evaluations for patients with serious mental illness as per CMS regulations and TJC standards
Participates with inpatient multi-disciplinary team to assess and treat inpatients Coordinates and facilitates treatment planning meetings and periodic reviews in an efficient and timely fashion
Provides focused treatment through individual and group counseling
Participates in regularly-scheduled morning rounds, team meetings, case conferences, and social services meetings; and attend case conferences as needed in the community
Provides consultation and education to patients' families and community supports, as appropriate, in order to enhance the patient's return to the community
Develops and coordinates disposition plans in conjunction with the treatment team, taking into account developmental, racial, cultural and ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity issues that impact a patient's aftercare needs
As needed, facilitates discharge of patients to Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF's) in collaboration with the assigned team.

Required Qualifications:

Knowledge of human growth and development across the lifespan. Understanding of the social, emotional, and experiential causes of social and psychiatric disorders. Comprehension of the principals and practices of psychosocial evaluation and diagnosis, which include knowledge of applicable interviewing techniques for individuals and their families. Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with others, and to establish rapport and interact with people who are under stress and to handle stressful and emergent situations. Power to establish and sustain therapeutic relationships. Capacity to interpret and coordinate treatment plans among a variety of human service personnel and delivery systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge and experience of inpatient mental health treatment and services.
Knowledge of terminology used specifically in an inpatient setting
Knowledge and understanding of Federal, State and local public entitlement programs and Medicare/Medicaid
Knowledge of and experience applying Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission (TJC) regulations and standards
Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency

DMH Mission and Vision:

The Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, assures and provides access to services and supports to meets 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 the 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. This critical mission is accomplished by working in partnership with other state agencies, individuals, families, providers, and communities. Mental health is an essential part of health care. The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, promotes mental health through early intervention, treatment, education, policy, and regulation so that all residents of the Commonwealth may live full and productive lives.

Hospital Mission:

The mission of the DMH Hospital System is to support and facilitate recovery and wellness for individuals with mental health conditions. We do this through the delivery of evidence-informed evaluation and treatment that is trauma-informed and person-centered with the goals of enhancing autonomy, safety and return to the community. Our Inpatient Clinical Social workers play a critical role on each patient's multidisciplinary team that also includes psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, mental health workers, occupational therapists, rehabilitation staff and peer specialists.

Pre-Offer 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

ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. #4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:



REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE: None. (See Required Education and Licenses.)



REQUIRED EDUCATION: A Master's or higher degree in social work.



LICENSES: Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.



Current and valid licensure as a Licensed Certified Social Worker or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Social Work.
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.

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.

Official Title

Clinical Social Worker (A/B)

Primary Location

United States-Massachusetts-Boston-170 Morton Street

Job

Community and Social Services

Agency

Department of Mental Health

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting

Oct 14, 2025, 10:45:51 AM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

79,251.38 - 108,119.18 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator

William Herbert / william.l.herbert3@mass.gov - 6173488473

Bargaining Unit

08-SEIU - Local 509 - Social/Rehabilitation

Confidential

No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule

No