Psychological/Mental Health Technician

Battelle•Norfolk, VA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Health Research and Analytics (HRA) business line is seeking a highly motivated, full-time Psychological/Mental Health Technician to join our team in support of our government customer, U.S. Special Operations Command. This position will play a critical role in advancing the Preservation of the Forces and Family (POTFF) program, which is dedicated to optimizing and sustaining the mission readiness, longevity, and performance of Special Operations Forces (SOF). Through integrated and holistic human performance initiatives, POTFF strengthens both the Forces and their families, ensuring comprehensive support for those who serve. As a Psychological/Mental Health Technician, you will contribute to impactful research and analytics that drive evidence-based decision-making and enhance the effectiveness of these vital programs. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of SOF personnel and their families while working in a dynamic, mission-driven environment. This position supports outpatient behavioral health activities by conducting intake interviews, assisting with patient care, and leading therapeutic sessions under the supervision of licensed professionals. The Psychological/Mental Health Technician will require performing a variety of administrative and clinical tasks, including data collection, report preparation, and coordination of meetings, while also maintaining records, managing supplies, and providing information to staff and families. This role requires independent judgment, initiative, and the ability to resolve non-recurring problems, ensuring efficient program operations and high-quality patient care.

Requirements

Associate degree or commensurate level of training, e.g. military mental health technician, for a psychiatric technician or mental health program assistant. Education requirement may be met by military or comparable training. If military trained, the individual’s specialty must be as a mental health technician/specialist.
At least three years’ experience as a psychiatric technician
Possess a sound foundation/basis to psychology and/or social work
Possess knowledge of addressing the basics of conflict management and how to de-escalate crisis situations and individuals who are agitated, violent or potentially violent and/or suicidal
Prior training to intervene and, when required, to restrain violent or potentially violent or suicidal patients by verbal or physical means
Current certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) from the American Heart Association, with documentation provided
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance

Responsibilities

Assist with the management and treatment of outpatient behavioral health activities
Under the supervision of a licensed psychiatrist, social worker, psychiatric nurse or psychologist, responsible for providing a wide range of behavioral health interventions from prevention to treatment to individuals
Under the supervision of a credentialed provider, conduct intakes, assist with care and treatment of psychiatric, drug and alcohol patients, and counsel clients/patients with personal, behavioral or psychological problems
Working independently, perform a full range of standard and nonstandard work assignments and resolve a variety of non-recurring problems encountered on own initiative
Assign work by defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines, and provides guidance on assignments that do not have clear precedents
Use judgment in locating and selecting the most appropriate guideline for application to the work situation at hand
Refer unusual matters not specifically covered by policy statements or published regulations to the Government supervisor
Observe patients to detect behavior patterns and reports observations to licensed behavioral health staff
Lead prescribed individual or group therapy sessions as part of specific therapeutic procedures under the guidance of a licensed mental health professional
Complete initial intake interviews and complete required forms for new patients on behalf of the licensed mental health provider
Conduct intake interviews under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional
Administer psychological tests, compile data and prepare reports for psychological testing under the supervision of a licensed psychologist
Administer psychophysiological tests and assessments under the supervision of a licensed medical/mental health professional
Populate and maintain a computerized database which will contain the listing of all units within the HQ organization and identify the number of service members assigned to each unit/Directorate to compile monthly training statistics
Prepare daily correspondence, i.e., training agendas, meeting agendas, purchase orders, clinical appointments
Collect and maintain monthly statistical data assigned workplace
Prepare and maintain attendance rosters and statistical data for all active-duty personnel who attended Social Work/Behavioral Health services
Assist in developing program operating instructions and work with providers to uncover inefficiencies and make recommendations for corrective action
Make comparison reviews, including office time sheets, to ensure program operations are managed within budget
Be responsible for the development and implementation of appointment templates for clinical providers
Place physical maintenance work orders and maintain hand receipts for physical property and inventory
Ensure proper supply stock levels and order specialized behavioral health forms and tests
Assist or independently gather data for various presentations such as process improvements initiatives, longitudinal statistical tracking, hospitalizations, and discharges
Manipulate data and present using software applications
Provide information via telephone and in person to the members of the Command, the professional staff, civilian and military personnel in response to inquiries regarding appointments
Interface frequently with the Command’s family support organizations
Maintain competency folders in accordance with program policy
Coordinate attendance and agenda at Case Review Committee with military and civilian agencies
Coordinate and reserve meeting location, verify attendance and prepare current and tentative following week’s agenda
Prepare open and closed case reports for required special handling of outpatient medical records in accordance with regulations
Maintain a resource library for use by professional staff and customers. Select library materials with the intent of providing knowledge, ideas and support to practitioners in the fields of education, clinical social work and family studies
Provide services to families desiring information on healthy family life and parenting skills