Mental Health Technician (MHT)

Ascent Behavioral Hospital • Millcreek, UT

2d • Onsite

About The Position

At Ascent Behavioral Hospital, we provide compassionate care, helping adolescents navigate challenges related to anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in a supportive and safe environment. We are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to adolescents who require our services. We uphold the highest standards of integrity, respect, and excellence while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and safety.
Position Summary
The Mental Health Technician (MHT) is an essential member of the interdisciplinary treatment team, providing direct supervision and therapeutic support to adolescents in an inpatient psychiatric setting. The MHT is responsible for maintaining a safe, structured, and trauma-informed milieu. This role involves continuous patient observation, assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), facilitating therapeutic groups, and utilizing de-escalation techniques to ensure the safety of both patients and staff.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage stressful situations with professionalism, empathy, and strong boundaries.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).
• Must pass a federal and Utah Department of Health & Human Services background check and drug screening.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a related behavioral health field.
• Previous experience in an inpatient psychiatric setting or working with at-risk adolescents.
• Current certification in a crisis prevention/de-escalation program (e.g., CPI, MANDT).
• EMT or CNA.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Safety & Supervision: Maintain constant visual observation of patients. Conduct and document safety checks (e.g., 15-minute rounds) and 1:1 observations with 100% accuracy, adhering to hospital policy and safety standards.
• Milieu Management: Facilitate a structured therapeutic environment. Lead or assist in psychoeducational groups, recreational activities, and daily community meetings to promote patient engagement and growth.
• Crisis Intervention & De-escalation: Utilize approved crisis intervention techniques (e.g., Mandt) to manage aggressive, self-harming, or escalating behaviors. Act as a first responder in emergent situations, prioritizing the least restrictive intervention.
• Behavioral Documentation: Provide accurate, objective, and timely documentation of patient behavior, interactions, and response to treatment in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assist and prompt patients with personal hygiene, room cleanliness, and nutritional needs, ensuring a high standard of care and dignity.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Participate in shift hand-off reports and daily observation notes used by the treatment team. Communicate significant changes in patient status or environmental risks immediately to the RN or Charge Nurse.
• Patient Rights & Confidentiality (HIPAA): Maintain strict patient confidentiality and advocate for patient rights in accordance with Utah Admin Code and federal law.
• Environment of Care: Assist in maintaining a clean, ligature-resistant, and hazard-free environment. Perform searches of patients and belongings for contraband as directed.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits (medical, dental, vision, retirement, PTO)
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• Career advancement pathways within the hospital system

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED