Mental Health Technician - Sexually Abusive Adolescents (SAA)

Newport News Behavioral Health Center is a 108 bed intensive and highly structured residential treatment for psychiatric and behavioral health needs of adolescent males and females ages 11-18yrs. Newport News has an on-site certified school, therapists, and vocational programming. Newport News, VA is a beautiful seaside city, rich in maritime history and conveniently located to DC and other major North Eastern cities.

Newport News Behavioral Health offers comprehensive benefits for the Mental Health Technician (MHT) position, such as:

• Challenging and rewarding work environment
• Competitive Compensation Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug Plan
• Generous Paid Time Off 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
• Career development opportunities within UHS and its Subsidiaries

An environment that puts patient care first. One of the most rewarding aspects of working as a Mental Health Technician (MHT) is providing excellent care, comfort, and security to the patients and families of The Meadows at their most vulnerable times. Having the opportunity to grow, learn, and advance in your career. There are very robust continuing education options and opportunities for leadership development as a Mental Health Technician (MHT) with UHS. Supportive and responsive leadership. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

EEO Statement

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.

Notice

At UHS and all subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates with matching skillset and experience with the best possible career at UHS and our subsidiaries. We take pride in creating a highly efficient and best in class candidate experience. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. The recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail etc. If you feel suspicious of a job posting or job-related email, let us know by contacting us at: https://uhs.alertline.com or 1-800-852-3449

GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB:

Participates in the development and implementation of residents’ behavioral programs, this is accomplished by providing care and close supervision of facility residents documenting behavior, by developing positive relationships with residents and co-workers and following facility policies and procedures, implementing treatment plans, providing crisis intervention and treatment interventions as prescribed.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible as a member of the program team who observes and reports physical and behavioral symptoms under the direction of the Program Director. The SAA Mental Health Technician is an active participant in the implementation of physical care and therapeutic activities. Assists in planning and implementing treatment programs for residents.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelors Degree in psychology or a related field, or 6 years demonstrated experience working with adolescents. At least three years experience working with sexually abusive adolescents. An ability to maintain a stable environment and to provide guidance to residents for which he/she is responsible. Prefer previous experience working in a residential or psychiatric setting with children and adolescents. Requires ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (include, but are not limited to, the following)

• Serves as a role model to staff and residents in dress and
• Exercises appropriate interventions under the direction of the physician, program director, unit manager and/or nurse.
• Reviews the resident’s chart to learn their history and the Initial Treatment Plan. Refers any questions to the unit manager and/or nurse on duty.
• Performs proper Handle with Care techniques, demonstrating knowledge of resident and staff safety.
• Maintains a safe, therapeutic environment. Spends working time in resident areas, unless otherwise assigned.
• Notifies the nurse of any medical complaints.
• Communicates resident and staff issues to the unit manager or program director.
• Makes environmental rounds throughout shift. Maintains a clean and safe environment by adhering to safety and security regulations, properly using and storing supplies, and reporting potential hazards to Director of Support Services.
• Processes with assigned residents. Assesses the resident’s readiness to have precautions lifted or levels increased.
• Exhibits excellent verbal de-escalation skills.
• Facilitates community meetings and facilitates specialty groups utilizing expertise and talent.
• Helps to develop program schedules during holidays and school vacations.
• Assists in the admissions, transfers and discharge of residents.
• Support residents in their efforts to “separate” from peers and staff prior to
• Terminates resident/staff relationship upon resident’s discharge.
• Escorts residents to scheduled appointments both in and out of the facility setting as needed, following Newport News Behavioral Health Center policies and procedures.
• Accepts responsibility for safe conditions at all times when transporting residents following facility transportation policies.
• Maintains attendance record that does not compromise delivery of resident care.
• Attendance record does not show any pattern of absenteeism. Reports to duty on time.
• Contributes to the effective implementation of individual treatment plans of residents through "line of sight" supervision, positive interaction and role modeling, appropriate scoring of observed behaviors, and appropriate consequences or limit setting based on behaviors and program definition.
• Maintains safety and security of the facility through close observation and monitoring of the residents.
• Promotes development of residents' daily living skills through appropriate assignment, instruction, and supervision of tasks.
• Stimulates residents' interest and cooperation in various individual and group activities and programs through positive interaction, instruction, supervision, feedback and encouragement.
• Completes accurate and timely documentation on resident's behavior as outlined by policy, reports observations to relevant staff and makes recommendations based on observations. Assists in preparation of other behavioral reports and daily activities log as required.
• Develops counseling skill methods and techniques under the supervision of program treatment professionals and uses those skills to conduct periodic individual or group sessions as necessary. Provides one-to-one contact with residents focusing on social development and any problems they might be experiencing and at time of resident distress.
• Ensures compliance with all company policies and procedures and regulatory requirements, reporting any known or suspected violations to his/her supervisor or through other means identified in company policy.
• Assesses and ensures the needs of the residents are being met in relation to clothing, linens, and personal hygiene supplies. Supervises personal hygiene tasks.
• Escorts residents to work, mealtime, outdoor/indoor recreation, and education activities and participates in their supervision and instruction as needed. Transports residents to and from medical appointments or other activities as directed.
• Provides appropriate crisis intervention as necessary by anticipating and responding quickly to escalating behaviors, utilizing de-escalation techniques to diffuse the situation, correctly prioritizing safety concerns, following proper restraint technique guidelines, and displaying neutral emotions.
• Uses appropriate counseling skills by de-escalating aggression, using active listening skills, using appropriate tone and volume of voice, providing a high frequency and variety of positive reinforcements, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and promoting a positive peer culture.
• Consistently meets facility and regulatory training requirements by attending all mandatory meetings and staff training sessions as required.
• Assures cleanliness and orderliness of the assigned work area/unit and proactively assists in all security, maintenance, and safety functions as required for the overall facility.

At UHS and all its subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skillset and experience with the best possible career path at UHS and our subsidiaries. We take pride in creating a highly efficient and best in class candidate experience. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. Additionally, recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc. If you are suspicious of a job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, let us know by contacting our Compliance Hotline at: https://uhs.alertline.com or 1-800-852- 3449.