Senior Mental Health Specialist

About the role

The State of Vermont's Department of Mental Health is currently seeking a Senior Mental Health Specialist on night shift. This position involves specialized technical level work in the planning and delivery of care and treatment of individuals with a mental illness at Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital. Incumbents serve as members of a multi-disciplinary treatment team in an assigned program area, under the general supervision of psychiatric nurses.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized technical level care and treatment to individuals with a mental illness.
• Collaborate with social workers, psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, patients, families, visitors, and treatment personnel from other facilities.
• Transport individuals with a mental illness to other treatment facilities as needed.
• Interact with patients experiencing serious mental illness, presenting with various levels of risk to self or others, including assaultive behavior, elopement risk, and self-harm.
• May be exposed to infectious diseases and caustic detergents.

Requirements

• 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.

Qualifications

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

Skills

N/A

Benefits

Above market total compensation package 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.

Pay

As of July 12, 2026, the step 1 rate for pay grade 23 will be $28.05 per hour and the step 15 rate will be $43.80 per hour.

Schedule

Shift: Night Shift