TECH - MH/BH

UHS•Bradenton, FL

About The Position

Palm Shores Behavioral Health Center provides mental health care and education services to adolescents ages 11–17 experiencing behavioral, emotional, educational, family, and social challenges. Its program establishes healthy behaviors and prepares patients to transition back home. The Mental Health Technician (MHT) provides direct patient care in a residential behavioral health setting. The role supervises patients during treatment, recreation, education, and activities of daily living, observing changes in social behavior and clinical status. MHTs have primary responsibility for patient safety and use the least restrictive interventions in accordance with facility policy, seeking to avoid seclusion and restraint whenever possible.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Pass a Level 2 background screening, including fingerprint-based U.S. federal, state, and city checks, before starting employment.
Complete pre-employment drug screening.
Ability to establish and maintain therapeutic distance and boundaries with clients during treatment and after discharge.
Ability to read, understand, and follow policies, procedures, and written treatment plans.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
Successful completion of CPR certification.
Successful completion of Handle with Care within 7 days of employment and before assisting with a restraining procedure.
Physical agility to manage patients, including pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
Ability to perform intermittent sitting, standing, walking, bending, and stooping.
Must be available for second- or third-shift work, including weekends.
May be required to work occasional overtime and flexible hours.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, human services, or a similar field; may result in increased wages.
Six months of experience in residential psychiatry or comparable experience at a childcare facility or agency.

Responsibilities

Provide direct patient care in a residential behavioral health setting.
Supervise patients during treatment, recreation, educational settings, and activities of daily living.
Observe and assess changes in patients’ social behaviors and clinical status.
Ensure patient safety in the facility.
Understand and use least restrictive interventions in accordance with facility policy, avoiding seclusion and restraint whenever possible.
Maintain therapeutic distance and boundaries with clients during treatment and following discharge.
Read, understand, and follow policies, procedures, and written treatment plans.