Crisis Bed Mental Health Technician PRN/On-Call

DELAWARE GUIDANCE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN•Lewes, DE

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. (DGS) is the largest provider of outpatient behavioral health services to children and families in Delaware. We operate offices in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, and Seaford, and we are the only statewide not-for-profit outpatient behavioral health organization for children and adolescents accredited by JCAHO. In 2020, we were honored as a Compassionate Champion for our dedication to serving youth and families using a trauma-informed approach. Through DGS, clients and families have access to outpatient counseling, group therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and school-based services. Our community-based service lines serve youth and families who require a more intense therapeutic protocol. DGS’ 24-hour statewide Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) dispatches skilled crisis intervention clinicians to provide immediate care to children experiencing behavioral health crises. Therapeutic options are available for a wide range of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, traumatic stress-related disorders, and suicidal ideation. In 2021, DGS clinicians provided over 54,000 direct care hours to children, youth, and families in Delaware. Over 93% of clients report improvement in their level of functioning following treatment, and therapeutic benefits derived from trauma-informed care extend to clients’ siblings, caregivers, classmates, and peers. Our client population is racially and ethnically diverse; 80% of DGS clients are Medicaid recipients and 90% have household incomes under $30,000. Many of our clients present with significant treatment challenges including learning impacts due to missed school and negative economic impact due to parental missed work. We provide care to anyone in need, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay for care. DGS also provides services specifically tailored to meet the unique behavioral health care needs of child welfare-involved families and foster youth Summary/objective Under the supervision of the Lead Crisis Bed Shift Supervisor, the Mental Health Technician is responsible for providing a variety of direct client care duties and unit support functions to children and adolescents with a wide variety of psychological and emotional problems (ie. aggressive and defiant behavior due to problems with emotion regulation, suicidal/homicidal ideation, plans, or attempts, family conflicts, etc.) to ensure the safety and wellbeing of clients in a Crisis Bed setting. Mental Health Technicians are dedicated and committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and therapeutic client care. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for documentation of milieu and case management services provided from intake through discharge.

Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record
Must be at least 21 years of age or older
Reliability & Flexibility
Customer Service
Written and Verbal Communication
Collaboration and Teamwork
Crisis Intervention and Risk Assessment
This position involves physical interventions, including the potential use of holds, and may require the ability to lift, carry, and assist clients as needed. The successful candidate must be physically capable of responding to challenging situations in a safe and controlled manner
Frequent walking, standing, twisting, bending, squatting
Proficient auditory and visual skills

Nice To Haves

Direct work experience leading groups, de-escalating behaviors, and managing multiple clinical diagnoses
Experience working in an inpatient or residential/group home setting
Bilingual

Responsibilities

Closely monitor clients and complete observation rounds using required safety protocols
Implement a person-centered plan as identified, assist each individual in meeting the outcomes identified in the approved plan, and assure applicable supports are provided for each client
Deliver solution-focused and trauma-informed interventions to maintain safety, build skills, and address problem solving, communication, and relationship conflicts
Create an engaging unit milieu to maintain a therapeutic and safe environment with a goal to achieve high patient satisfaction
Plan, prepare, and deliver group therapeutic activities for clients
Use critical thinking and risk management skills when connecting with clients in Crisis Bed
Understand warning signs and risk factors associated with suicide risk and risk of harm to others
Maintain professional, trauma-informed, and empathetic interactions during interactions with children, families, and stakeholders
Develop comprehensive skills providing support for children and youth in Crisis Bed
Obtain groceries and prepare meals following planned menu
Support in areas of daily living (prompt clients for completion of personal care including hygiene and self-administration of medication)
Provide a clean, safe environment and safe delivery of care
Provide education support
Work respectfully and cooperatively together as a unified team member in a professional manner with other Crisis Bed staff, families, and community members
Assume responsibility for professional development of self and contribute to and assist with the professional development of others
Assure electronic documentation and verbal shift reports are completed accurately and timely before the end of each shift
Uphold professional standards of treatment and the mission of the organization
Maintain a quality code of conduct, ethics and professionalism
Provide goal-directed and team-oriented services
Communicate effectively and professionally with all stakeholders
Assure compliance with all policies and procedures and licensing regulations
Must successfully complete all agency required training within 30 days of employment and maintain timely applicable certification
Must successfully complete refresher trainings within the identified timeframes