Mental Health Technician IV - Crisis (Temp Observation Unit)

SpectraCare•Dothan, AL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician IV provides intermediate-skilled direct care and oversight to individuals served in the Crisis Stabilization Unit and associated programs, including temporary observation and mobile crisis teams. The technician monitors behavior and interactions, supports activities of daily living, conducts safety observations, teaches coping and behavioral skills, encourages adherence to treatment, and helps maintain a safe, therapeutic environment. This is an awake position; sleeping while on duty is not permitted. The role includes responding calmly and effectively to crises, assisting with disturbed or violent individuals, and applying seclusion, protective holds, or restraints in accordance with policy. The technician may facilitate skills-based educational groups; prepare snacks or meals; maintain food supplies and unit cleanliness; assist individuals with hygiene, transfers, and discharge; maintain accurate, confidential records; and transport individuals in system vehicles, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The position requires regular attendance and timely arrival, the ability to work full-time rotating assignments that may include overtime, nights, and weekends, and willingness to work in any unit or program as directed. Work takes place primarily in a temperature-controlled facility, with travel to other locations as needed. The role involves frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and other physical activity; occasional lifting or moving of up to 50 pounds; and potential exposure to unpredictable behaviors, bodily fluids, contagious diseases, cleaning products, noise, and other challenging conditions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Valid driver's license and good motor vehicle record.
Must be at least 21 years old and meet insurability requirements to drive a system vehicle.
Must pass the required background check and drug screen.
Knowledge of mental illness, substance use, developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and crisis intervention techniques.
Patience, emotional stability, and ability to respond professionally in crisis situations and stressful environments.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with individuals experiencing serious mental illness or substance use challenges and with staff.
Ability to follow moderately complex oral and written instructions and detailed assignments with minimal supervision.
Ability to follow directives and work with supervisors and other staff.
Ability to maintain confidentiality under HIPAA, 42 CFR, and applicable policies; adhere to individual rights and health and safety standards.
Ability to stay awake throughout the shift and adapt to changing conditions.
Ability to teach or relay coping, positive-attitude, and self-esteem skills and facilitate educational groups.
Ability to travel as necessary and establish effective working relationships.
Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, fax machines, and copy machines.
Ability to safely perform a wide variety of job tasks without endangering individuals, employees, or property.
Ability to perform physical activities required by the role, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, responding quickly, and infrequently lifting or moving up to 50 pounds.
Complete initial new-hire training, department on-the-job training, required certifications, and annual training.
Able to work full-time with rotating assignments, which may include overtime, nights, and weekends.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of clinical experience providing direct client care.
At least one year of clinical experience providing client care in a mental health setting.

Responsibilities

Provide direct care and oversight to individuals in the Crisis Stabilization Unit and associated units or programs, including temporary observation and mobile crisis teams.
Monitor individuals’ behavior, interactions, safety, activities of daily living, and significant changes in behavior or verbalizations; report concerns to the clinical team.
Conduct unit rounds and visual observations, including one-to-one observation when required.
Assist staff with individuals who are actively disturbed or violent, request backup when needed, and use crisis intervention techniques to maintain safety.
Educate individuals about behavioral and emotional techniques, coping skills, and other supports; facilitate skills-based educational groups when appropriate.
Prepare snacks or meals and assist individuals who need help eating; order and store food, maintain pantry stock, and discard expired food.
Assist with transfers and discharges, including dressing individuals and collecting personal belongings and valuables.
Maintain therapeutic relationships, appropriate boundaries, and a safe, respectful environment; assist with hygiene, grooming, and basic living skills.
Maintain unit cleanliness, treatment areas, beds, and linens; assist with cleaning and laundry as needed.
Maintain accurate, timely, professional, and confidential individual records, progress notes, group documentation, and other required documentation in accordance with applicable policies and regulations.
Safely operate system vehicles, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles; assist individuals boarding and exiting, secure wheelchair users, complete vehicle checks, maintain vehicle cleanliness, and transport individuals as needed.
Apply seclusion, protective holds, and restraints in accordance with policy and document crises and interventions.
Participate in shift reporting, required training, workshops, in-services, and meetings; meet with a supervisor as established.
Follow applicable SpectraCare policies, clinical policies, confidentiality requirements, health and safety standards, and ethical and professional boundaries.
Work cooperatively with staff, individuals, and families; respond to inquiries courteously and perform other assigned duties.
Maintain regular attendance and punctuality, remain awake during scheduled hours, and work assigned rotating shifts, including overtime, nights, or weekends as scheduled.