What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mental Health Technician - Special Needs Unit position at Desert Parkway Behavioral Healthcare Hospital?
The Special Needs Unit is a highly specialized program serving youth ages 8–17 with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, congenital conditions, and co‑occurring psychiatric needs. Mental Health Technicians in this unit play a key role in providing structured, consistent, developmentally appropriate support that promotes safety, emotional regulation, and therapeutic engagement for each patient.
This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about neurodiversity, behavioral health, and working within a highly structured, team‑driven environment alongside RNs, BCBAs, and RBTs.
Additional SNU‑specific expectations:
- Implements structured routines, visual supports, and communication strategies appropriate for each patient’s developmental level.
- Supports behavior intervention plans (BIPs) developed by BCBAs and reinforced by RBTs.
- Provides consistent, calm, and patient‑centered interactions to reduce overstimulation and behavioral escalation.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Participates in treatment planning:
- Assists in identifying patients' problems, needs, and strengths;
- Suggests modifications to treatment plan based on observations of patients' behavior;
- Provides input into discharge planning.
Participates in implementing patients' treatment plans:
- Monitors patients' progress;
- Performs patient safety checks at scheduled times and documents appropriately;
- Communicates information regarding patients' behavior to other members of treatment team;
- Maintains communication with patient, family members, and referral sources in patients' interest;
- Co-facilitates didactic, educational, and community groups within the context of the child and adult treatment programs;
- Encourages and facilitates patients' participation in therapeutic activities;
- Supervises patients to ensure their safety and their involvement in treatment;
- Provides input during shift report.
Additional SNU‑specific responsibilities:
- Implements behavior strategies and reinforcement systems as directed by BCBAs and RBTs.
- Recognizes early signs of overstimulation or distress and alerts the RN or BCBA as appropriate.
- Uses non‑violent crisis intervention techniques tailored to neurodiverse youth.
- Provides structured support during transitions, sensory breaks, and therapeutic activities.
- Assists with communication supports (visual cues, simplified language, modeling).
- Documents behavioral observations with clarity and accuracy to support clinical and behavioral decision‑making.
- High School Diploma or GED required
- Current CPR certificate
- Experience working with youth with developmental disabilities
- Familiarity with medical and psychological terminology and human behavior principles preferred
- Experience with therapeutic limit-setting or other behavior management modalities helpful
- Must maintain professional boundaries
A full benefits package is available the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
Desert Parkway offers competitive benefits to include:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401K Retirement Plan
- Healthcare spending account
- Dependent care spending account
- PTO Plan with holiday premium pay
- Discounted cafeteria meal plan
- Life insurance (including plans for spouse and children)
- Short- and long-term disability (with additional buy-in opportunities)
- Pet Insurance
- Identity Theft Insurance