Mental Health Technician

About Us: New Hope Treatment Centers is a dynamic and innovative company focused on one thing - Change the world, one kid at a time, through the healing power of relationships. In our line of work, the need is great, and we’re constantly growing to meet it. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on quality, we are dedicated to shaping the future of our industry. As we continue to grow and expand, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Performance & Quality Specialist professional to join our team.

Since our opening in 1987, New Hope Treatment Centers has been a welcoming place for young people in moments of crisis. Our programs have played a role in countless success stories, thanks to our relational approach to behavioral care. We get to know our kids on an individual level, and work with them and their families toward a brighter next chapter. If any part of our mission has you inspired, we urge you to get in touch. It might be the best decision you make this year.

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of Residential Managers, Team Leaders, Team Supervisors, and Counselors, a Residential Counselor/ Mental Health Technician is responsible for overseeing day-to-day activities of adolescents ages 12-21 years of age with diagnoses of intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and psychiatric and behavioral challenges. This role is in a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) environment, and it includes caring for the safety of residents, monitoring their attitude and mental behavior.

Essential Functions:

• Ensures the safety of all residents under their care by learning and implementing only those medical and life safety policies and procedures approved by New Hope NC1 Inc.
• Provides therapeutic supervision of residents during treatment activities.
• Reports immediately to the Program Supervisor any behavior which may disrupt the therapeutic milieu or which may indicate a potential problem for the patient.
• Assists in the orientation of all new residents and provides continuing education and assistance with program rules and expectations.
• Assists in the management of aggressive residents as needed, using only de-escalation and behavior management techniques approved by New Hope NC1 Inc.
• This position requires the ability to restrain physically aggressive residents.
• Assists in the coordination of therapeutic activities, and oversees the completion of resident activities including but not limited to hygiene, chores, journalizing, homework or other clinical assignments.
• Provides documentation in the health record of resident behavior, and interventions provided and their effectiveness on a daily basis, using the format approved by New Hope NC1 Inc.
• Maintains an awareness of the whereabouts of all residents under their care by providing constant supervision, regular rounds and resident counts throughout their shift.
• Participates as an active member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team.
• Attends daily shift reports, staff meetings, resident staffing and all other required meetings.
• Participates in staff growth and development training activities and maintains a minimum number of hours as required by New Hope Treatment NC1 Inc. and its licensure agencies.
• Monitor and provide supervision of behavioral interventions as outlined in the resident’s treatment plan.
• Provide timely and accurate documentation of interventions as related to the progress of treatment plan goals.

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs other related duties as required.
• Assists with the transportation of residents in facility vehicles.
• May serve as primary advocate for up to three residents, providing a summary of resident’s behavioral progress to the treatment team within the specified time frame.
• May require evening, night, weekend and holiday work.

Essential Characteristics

• Demonstrates an ability to establish credibility and be decisive.
• Demonstrates an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, management, referral sources and the general public.
• Demonstrates satisfactory communication skills, written and verbal.
• Demonstrates an understanding of children and adolescent developmental issues.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and insists upon the rights of children and adolescents as residents in the facility.
• Must have a proven ability to relate to and work with children and/or adolescents.
• Organizational Relationships
• This position is accountable to the Program Supervisor.
• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications:

• Minimum qualifications: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Environmental Factors
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• This position is occasionally required to work outside while participating in the activities of the residents. These duties will result in occasional exposure to outside environmental conditions such as heat and cold.

This position falls under Category I of the OSHA Infection Control Program. Under Category I, some of the tasks associated with this position could involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues. This position requires a thorough knowledge of the proper use of personal protective clothing, equipment and training in universal precautions, barrier protection techniques and modes of transmission of blood-borne viruses.

• Essential Physical Characteristics Profile:

During an average eight (8) hour day a Residential Counselor will Sit 30% Stand/Walk 70%

Physical Requirements:

• Full use of both arms and legs

• 20/20 or medically corrected vision

• Ability to hear calls for assistance, emergency alarms, overhead directives, phone calls, etc.
• Ability to smell odors such as smoke, chemicals, human waste, etc.

Area of Specific Concern: This position requires the ability to restrain physically aggressive patients weighing 50 to 200 pounds and standing 3 to 6 feet in height. To perform this essential function the employee must be able to roll, fall, twist, and maneuver in a quick but safe manner.

This position requires an ability to stay awake and remain alert during an entire shift.