Mental Health Specialist II - Acute Behavioral Services
About The Position
The Mental Health Specialist II works in Dungarvin’s Acute Behavioral Services group homes, supporting people with complex mental health and behavioral needs. Residents may have experienced frequent crises, hospital stays, legal involvement, or unsuccessful placements and may need a highly structured environment. The homes are designed for safety, and support is person-centered and focused on helping individuals work toward their goals while maintaining safety. Staff receive training in behavioral support and crisis response, including manual restraints when necessary. The role provides direct support with safety, skill-building, and positive engagement; follows behavior and treatment plans and crisis-prevention procedures; helps maintain a safe and structured home; supports daily living, activities, transportation, and community engagement; and documents services and observations in electronic systems. The specialist monitors behavioral changes, communicates about safety concerns, supports appointments and personal contacts, assists with medication tasks as allowed, follows medical and nutrition plans, participates in team meetings, helps train new staff, and follows emergency procedures and individual support plans.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- At least 3 years of experience working with individuals with chronic and severe mental illness, or a degree in a mental-health-related field.
- At least 18 years of age; some programs require employees to be 21 or older.
- Valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.
- Basic computer skills and ability to use electronic documentation systems.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand and walk for extended periods, and safely manage physically demanding situations.
- Ability to follow behavior support plans, treatment plans, functional assessments, and person-centered plans.
- Ability to use crisis prevention, de-escalation, redirection, and manual restraints as trained.
- Clear and professional verbal and written communication, including documentation.
- Ability to work effectively in crisis situations and exercise sound judgment.
- Ability to collaborate with team members and external partners, including case managers, law enforcement, and mental health professionals.
- Strong problem-solving, consistency, time-management, and independent prioritization skills.
Responsibilities
- Provide direct, person-centered support to individuals with intensive behavioral and mental-health needs, focusing on safety, skill-building, and positive engagement.
- Follow behavior support plans, treatment plans, crisis-prevention strategies, de-escalation techniques, and trained manual restraint procedures.
- Maintain a clean, safe, structured living environment and assist with daily living skills, household tasks, activities, transportation, and community engagement.
- Document services, behavioral observations, health concerns, and program activities using electronic systems such as T-logs, Therap, and health tracking.
- Monitor behavioral changes, identify escalation indicators, and communicate proactively with supervisors and team members during crisis or safety situations.
- Support family and personal contacts, assist with appointments and medication administration tasks as allowed, and follow medical and nutrition plans.
- Participate in team meetings, provide feedback on individuals’ needs, and assist in training new staff while modeling positive, professional behavior.
- Maintain home safety, follow emergency procedures, and comply with protocols and individual support plans.
Benefits
- Fixed starting rate of $24 per hour.
- Retention bonus of $3,000, not applicable to current Dungarvin employees.
- Medical, vision, and dental insurance for full-time employees.
- Supplemental insurance and life insurance.
- 401(k) with up to a 3% employer match.
- Paid time off that increases with tenure, including PTO donation options.
- National brand discounts.
- Employee referral program.
- Access to Tapcheck to receive up to 50% of pay before payday.
- Career growth opportunities, paid training, and mentorship.
- Mileage reimbursement for travel.
- Paid training and orientation.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
