Mental Health Technician (Adolescent Care Unit)

FDIHB•Fort Defiance, AZ

About The Position

The Mental Health Technician supports therapeutic care for adolescents in an inpatient adolescent care unit. The role provides direct supervision and behavioral health interventions under the direction of a Nurse, and assists adolescents with acute and chronic mental health concerns, including depression, suicidal ideation, bereavement, psychotic episodes, family conflicts, substance abuse or dependence, and trauma related to violence or emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. The technician works with the treatment team to develop care plans, observes and documents patient behavior and responses, uses therapeutic communication, and models de-escalation and conflict-resolution skills. The role also supports patients’ daily activities, milieu management, and group-focused activities while maintaining a therapeutic environment. When delegated, the technician may provide clinical supervision and training to peer mental health technicians and may participate in community education, prevention, or advocacy efforts. Applicants must have a valid, unrestricted insurable driver’s license. Resumes and references are required. Degree, transcripts, licenses, and certifications are to be emailed to [email protected]. The employer applies Navajo/Indian Preference in Employment: qualified enrolled members of the Navajo Nation receive primary preference, and members of other federally recognized tribes receive secondary preference.

Requirements

One year of experience with adolescents in an inpatient or residential-type treatment facility, healthcare setting, or learning institution setting.
High school diploma or equivalency (HSE).
Valid, unrestricted, insurable driver’s license.
Resumes and references are required.
Submit degree, transcripts, licenses, and certifications by email.

Responsibilities

Assist in the therapeutic conduct of individual, marital, family, and group psychotherapies for adolescents.
Provide patient care to adolescents with acute and chronic mental health problems, including depression, suicidal ideation, bereavement, psychotic episodes, family conflicts, substance abuse or dependence, and trauma resulting from violence or emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
Coordinate service provision to patients and consult with professional colleagues as needed, including arranging appropriate referrals for psychiatric evaluation or medication management.
Participate in individual, group, family, and educational therapy sessions with patients.
Work with other treatment team members to formulate care plans for Adolescent Care Unit patients.
Closely observe patients and evaluate and record significant behavior and reaction patterns for the behavioral health team’s use in reevaluating treatment plans.
Use therapeutic communication skills in all interactions.
Model de-escalation techniques and conflict-resolution and management skills.
Under the Nurse’s direction, provide direct supervision and behavioral health interventions to patients in the inpatient adolescent care unit.
Maintain appropriate records by documenting observations and therapeutic interventions administered to patients.
Under the Nurse’s direction, assist patients with daily activities and milieu management, and lead group-focused activities while maintaining a therapeutic care environment.
When appropriate and delegated, provide clinical supervision and training to other peer mental health technicians.
Consult with FDIHB personnel, health professionals, and public and private resource agencies to help patients resolve medical, social, familial, and behavioral health problems as needed.
When appropriate and delegated, participate in or initiate community education, prevention, or advocacy efforts addressing the behavioral health needs of adolescents and community members.
Perform other duties as assigned.