Mental Health Specialist II - Acute Behavioral Services

Dungarvin•Jordan, MN

14d

About The Position

Dungarvin’s Acute Behavioral Services (ABS) group homes support individuals with complex mental health and behavioral needs, including people who may have experienced frequent crises, hospital stays, legal involvement, or failed placements. The homes provide a highly structured, safety-focused environment and use consistent, person-centered support to help individuals work toward their goals. Staff receive training in behavioral support and crisis response, including manual restraints when necessary. The Mental Health Specialist II provides direct support to individuals with intensive behavioral and mental-health needs. The role involves following person-centered and safety-focused plans, assisting with daily living and community activities, documenting services and observations in electronic systems, monitoring changes in behavior, and communicating with supervisors and team members. The position also supports appointments, personal contacts, medication-administration tasks as permitted, and compliance with medical, nutrition, emergency, and individual support plans. Staff participate in team meetings and may help train new employees. The advertised starting rate is $24 per hour. The posting also states compensation is up to $24.00 hourly.

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 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 written and verbal 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.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand and walk for extended periods, and safely manage physically demanding situations.

Responsibilities

Provide direct support to individuals with intensive behavioral and mental-health needs using person-centered approaches focused 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, and structured living environment.
Assist with daily living skills, household tasks, activities, transportation, and community engagement.
Document services, behavioral observations, health concerns, and program activities using electronic systems, including T-logs, Therap, and health tracking.
Monitor behavioral changes, identify indicators of escalation, and communicate proactively with supervisors and team members during crisis or safety situations.
Support family and personal contacts and assist with appointments.
Perform medication-administration tasks as allowed and follow medical and nutrition plans.
Participate in team meetings and provide feedback about individuals’ needs.
Assist in training new staff and model positive, professional behavior.
Maintain home safety, follow emergency procedures, and comply with protocols and individual support plans.