Mental Health Technician Days and Nights

Position Summary

The Mental Health Technician (MHT) provides direct care, supervision and therapeutic support to youth in a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF II), in full compliance with 907 KAR 15:020 and Medicaid requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Milieu Supervision

• Provide continuous line-of-sight supervision of resident at all times, 24/7.
• Maintain required staff-to-resident ratios at all times; AM shifts, 1:6; PM shifts, 1:5.
• Ensure adherence to resident treatment plans, behavioral interventions, and safety plans.
• Support staff during crisis interventions, including implementation of approved safety procedures.
• Monitor resident behavior and ensure consistent therapeutic responses across shifts.
• Communicate significant events, safety concerns, or clinical observations to nursing and clinical staff.
• Complete daily room checks to ensure residents rooms are free from clutter, debris and/or contraband

Daily Programming

• Implement structured daily schedules and routine, including therapeutic, recreational, educational, and life-skills activities.
• Maintain a therapeutic milieu consistent with trauma-informed care principles and CARF expectations
• Model appropriate social, emotional, and behavioral skills.
• Reinforce treatment goals and behavioral interventions throughout daily interactions

Crisis Prevention and Intervention

• Complete initial and maintain monthly refreshers of Safety Crisis Management.
• Utilize trauma-informed de-escalation and therapeutic communication techniques.
• Provide support to residents during behavioral crises.
• Ensure all interventions comply with PRTF regulations and facility policies.
• Assist with documentation of incidents, restraints, and behavioral observations as required.

Staffing Support and Coverage

• Assist with picking up shifts or coordinating staff coverage during call-offs or staffing shortages.
• Support Leads and Clinical Director in maintaining adequate staff-to-resident ratios required by regulatory standards.
• Provide shift reports and communicate staffing concerns to leadership.

Milieu Safety, Organization, and Cleanliness

MHTs are responsible for ensuring overall cleanliness, and safety of the residential milieu, including:

• Maintaining a clean and structured living environment for residents.
• Ensuring residents follow daily hygiene expectations.
• Monitoring cleanliness and organization of:
• Resident living areas
• Day rooms, hallways, and common spaces
• Activity areas
• Storage closets
• Supply areas
• Staff office and documentation spaces
• Ensuring supplies are stocked and properly stored.
• Addressing sanitation concerns promptly and reporting maintenance issues.

Documentation and Communication

• Ensure accurate and timely behavioral documentation including daily point sheets, behavior observations, shift notes, incident reports, and daily checks
• Assist with monitoring point sheets, behavior tracking, and shift notes.
• Provide detailed shift reports and communication to incoming staff.
• Report incidents, safety concerns, and environmental issues to supervisors.

Training and Staff Development

• Complete 40 hours of on-boarding and training to include Safety Crisis Management, verbal de-escalation, and trauma-informed care as well as other trainings relevant to job functions
• Maintain on-going training by attending mandatory monthly in-services and other trainings assigned by Clinical Director

Resident Support

• Build therapeutic relationships with adolescents through respectful and supportive interactions.
• Facilitate daily routines including:
• School preparation
• Hygiene routines
• Structured activities
• Skill-building groups
• Support residents in learning coping skills, emotional regulation, and social skills.
• Uphold all resident rights as outlined in 907 KAR 15:020
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation immediately

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in staff meetings and training.
• Assist with quality improvement initiatives related to milieu safety and behavioral management.
• Ensure compliance with facility policies, ethical standards, and resident rights.
• Perform other duties as assigned by leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Associate or Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, human services, or related field preferred

Experience

• Minimum 1–2 years experience working with adolescents in behavioral health, residential treatment, or psychiatric settings

Physical Requirements

1. Physical requirements: Must be able to physically participate in physical intervention techniques and strategies related to Safe Crisis Management (SCM) training and pass the SCM skill-out demonstration physical test without limitation. Must be able to stand, stoop, bend, reach, and perform other range-of-motion activities related to MHT duties. Must be able to lift at least 20 pounds on a routine basis.

2. Sufficient writing, verbal and reading skills to fulfill documentation requirements of the position.

3. Works cooperatively with other disciplines in implementing the safe and secure delivery of the resident’s treatment plan.

4. Completes all training requirements as assigned to meet minimum requirements and to maintain competency

The Mental Health Technician position includes a 90-day introductory period designed to support onboarding, training, and evaluation of essential job functions. During this time, the employee will receive structured supervision, feedback, and opportunities to demonstrate competency in job performance, team coordination, and program responsibilities. Employees are expected to maintain consistent and reliable attendance, adhere to scheduled work hours, and demonstrate dependability, as these are essential functions of the role. If performance expectations, including attendance and core responsibilities, are not met during this period, additional support or corrective action may be implemented, and/or termination if job functions are not met.

Pay: $18.00 - $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $19